A Little Life Character Analysis

Jude St. Francis

Jude, the novel’s protagonist, is an ambitious and brilliant lawyer haunted by a troubled, mysterious past. He suffers from chronic pain in his legs and back that worsens as the result of a horrific accident—when… read analysis of Jude St. Francis

Willem Ragnarsson

Willem is Jude’s closest friend and, later, his life partner. Though he initially struggles to advance his acting career, he eventually becomes a famous and successful screen actor. Jude and Willem have always been… read analysis of Willem Ragnarsson

Malcolm Irvine

Malcolm Irvine is an architect and one of Jude’s best friends from college. At the start of the novel, Malcolm is unsatisfied with his life. He’s ashamed to be 27 years old and still… read analysis of Malcolm Irvine

Jean Baptiste “JB” Marion

JB is one of Jude’s best friends from college. A painter, JB initially struggles to achieve the recognition he thinks he deserves. JB, like the rest of the four central characters, is highly ambitious… read analysis of Jean Baptiste “JB” Marion

Harold Stein

Harold Stein is Jude’s law professor and later, his adoptive father. Harold immediately recognizes Jude’s brilliance and takes him under his wing. He and his wife Julia frequently have Jude over for dinner at… read analysis of Harold Stein

Brother Luke

Brother Luke is a monk at the monastery in South Dakota where Jude grew up. He’s also one of the novel’s antagonists and one of Jude’s many childhood abusers. Whereas the other monks beat, sexually… read analysis of Brother Luke

Dr. Traylor

Dr. Traylor is a sadistic psychiatrist who abducts, imprisons, and abuses Jude after Jude runs away from the boys’ home. Dr. Traylor is initially kind, if rather aloof: he gives Jude a comfortable place to… read analysis of Dr. Traylor

Caleb Porter

Caleb Porter is a cruel and abusive man Jude dates before he begins his relationship with Willem. Jude endures Caleb’s abuse because he’s lonely and believes that someone like him doesn’t deserve anyone better… read analysis of Caleb Porter

Andy Contractor

An orthopedic surgeon, Andy Contractor is Jude’s longtime doctor and friend. Andy is the only doctor Jude trusts to examine him. Other than Willem, Andy is the only person who has seen Jude’s… read analysis of Andy Contractor

Hemming

Hemming was Willem’s older brother who he died before the novel’s present day, when Willem was still in college. Hemming was born with a severe form of cerebral palsy; he was nonverbal, and his… read analysis of Hemming

Julia

Julia is Harold’s wife. She’s a microbiologist who is originally from the United Kingdom. She and Harold are both professors in Cambridge. Julia, like Harold, loves and cares for Jude, and this love… read analysis of Julia

Richard

Richard is a good friend of Jude, JB, Malcolm, and Willem. He’s a sculptor, and he shares studio space with JB at the beginning of the novel, when JB is still… read analysis of Richard

Dr. Loehmann

Dr. Loehmann is a psychiatrist to whom Andy refers Jude following Jude’s suicide attempt. Despite his friends’ protests, Jude initially refuses to see Dr. Loehmann. Following a major fight with Willem over Jude’s continued self-harm… read analysis of Dr. Loehmann

Ana

Ana was Jude’s only social worker. She began working his case after Dr. Traylor’s attack and helped Jude through his recovery. Before Willem, Ana was the only person in whom he confided… read analysis of Ana

Jacob

Jacob was Harold’s son with his first wife, Liesl. In a long first-person account spread throughout multiple chapters, Harold describes the swift decline Jacob underwent between the age of four, when he had… read analysis of Jacob

Lucien Voigt

Lucien Voigt is Jude’s boss at Rosen Pritchard and Klein, one of the city’s most important firms. He’s always impressed with Jude’s work, though he also urges Jude to take some time off when… read analysis of Lucien Voigt

Mr. Irvine

Mr. Irvine is Malcolm’s father. He’s demanding and highly critical. Mr. Irvine and Malcolm have never had a great relationship, and Malcolm has always known that his father favors Flora, Malcolm’s older sister… read analysis of Mr. Irvine

Flora Irvine

Flora Irvine is Malcolm’s older sister. Malcolm has always known that Flora is Mr. Irvine’s favorite child (Mr. Irvine has lots of affectionate nicknames for her and constantly sings her praises). Malcolm longs… read analysis of Flora Irvine

Mrs. Irvine

Mrs. Irvine is Malcolm’s mother. She runs a literary agency. Mrs. Irvine is more affectionate with Malcolm than Mr. Irvine is, but she can be somewhat distracted. Mrs. Irvine sees how Mr. Irvine’s preference for… read analysis of Mrs. Irvine

Willem’s Mother

Willem’s mother was a Danish immigrant. She and Willem’s father worked on a ranch in rural Wyoming all Willem’s life. She died before the novel’s present day, when Willem was still in college. Willem’s… read analysis of Willem’s Mother

Willem’s Father

Willem’s father was an Icelandic immigrant. He worked as a ranch hand in Wyoming all Willem’s life and died before the novel’s present day, when Willem was still in college. Willem’s father is humble and… read analysis of Willem’s Father

Judge Sullivan

Judge Sullivan is the judge Jude clerks for in Washington, D.C., after law school. Harold urges Jude to apply for the position and even serves as a reference. During Jude’s interview with Judge Sullivan, the… read analysis of Judge Sullivan

Laurence

Laurence is Harold’s best friend and an appellate court judge in Boston. He oversees the proceedings of Jude’s adoption. Jude sees Laurence and his wife, Gillian, at dinners and holiday gatherings at… read analysis of Laurence

Liesl

Liesl was Harold’s first wife. She’s a doctor. Harold recalls the horrific year they endured together as they watched their young son, Jacob, suffer and die from a rare neurodegenerative disease. Their grief… read analysis of Liesl

Dr. Kashen

Dr. Kashen is one of Jude’s math professors at MIT. He dies sometime after Jude has graduated from college. When Caleb later throws Jude down the stairs, Jude recalls Dr. Kashen, who once asked… read analysis of Dr. Kashen

Father Gabriel

Father Gabriel is one of the monks at the monastery in South Dakota where Jude grew up. He and the other monks physically, sexually, and emotionally abused Jude, instilling in Jude a sense of internalized… read analysis of Father Gabriel

The Learys

The Learys are a family who express interest in adopting Jude (then a young boy) at an adoption event in Montana. Jude spends a weekend with the Learys and tries his best to win them… read analysis of The Learys

Sophie

Sophie is Malcolm’s wife. She, like Malcolm, is an architect; they met in college. Sophie and Malcolm, along with some of Malcolm’s former Ratstar colleagues, eventually form their own firm, Bellcast. Sophie and Malcolm… read analysis of Sophie

Jackson

Jackson is a sculptor JB meets after his (JB’s) second show. Jackson isn’t the type of person JB would normally befriend: he’s rich and entitled, his sculptures are “stupid” and uninteresting, and he’s a drug… read analysis of Jackson

Leslie

Leslie is Ana’s girlfriend. After Ana’s death, Leslie tried to stay in touch with Jude, sending him a Christmas card his first year at college. But the card was Jude’s last remaining physical… read analysis of Leslie

Philippa

Philippa, a costume designer, is one of Willem’s girlfriends prior to his relationship with Jude. She and Willem eventually break up over Willem’s friendship with Jude, which Philippa feels is too “codependent.” Jude… read analysis of Philippa

Robin

Robin is one of Willem’s girlfriends prior to his relationship with Jude. They eventually break up. Robin once asked Willem if Jude was gay or straight, and Willem realized that he didn’t have the… read analysis of Robin

Ezra

At the beginning of the novel, when the central characters are in their 20s and still struggling to get their careers off the ground, JB lives with Ezra, an untalented artist whose wealthy family pays… read analysis of Ezra

Felix Baker

Felix Baker is a boy Jude tutors when he is in his late 20s. Felix’s family is wealthy and has very little time for him. Felix is shy and insecure. He also has no friends… read analysis of Felix Baker

JB’s Mother

JB’s mother is a second-generation Haitian immigrant. JB is unlike the rest of his close friends in that he has a loving and supportive family. She is a successful educator and professor, and she has… read analysis of JB’s Mother

Kit

Kit is Willem’s agent. When Willem starts to give up film roles to stay home and care for Jude, Kit remarks that such behavior would be understandable if Willem were caring for a sick… read analysis of Kit

Claudine

Claudine is a jewelry designer and acquaintance of Willem’s. Willem begins a sexual affair with Claudine during his and Jude’s relationship. Though Jude has given Willem permission to pursue sex outside of their… read analysis of Claudine

Sanjay

Sanjay is Jude’s colleague at Rosen Pritchard and Klein. After Willem’s death, Sanjay informs Jude’s other friends of how infrequently Jude feeds himself, and this contributes to everyone’s decision to hold an intervention… read analysis of Sanjay

Marta

Marta was one of Jude, Willem, JB, and Malcolm’s suitemates in college. Marta, Francesca, and Edie—who are all lesbians—were in a band together called Backfat. They used to participate… read analysis of Marta

Francesca

Francesca was one of Jude, Willem, JB, and Malcolm’s suitemates in college. Francesca, Marta, and Edie—who are all lesbians—were in a band together called Backfat. They used to participate… read analysis of Francesca

Edie

Edie was one of Jude, Willem, JB, and Malcolm’s suitemates in college. Edie, Marta, and Francesca—who are all lesbians—were in a band together called Backfat. After college, Edie transitions… read analysis of Edie

Idriss

Idriss is Willem’s therapist. When Idriss tries to get Willem to talk about the issues he’s having with his sex life, Willem realizes he doesn’t want to think about his relationship with Jude as… read analysis of Idriss

Boyd

Boyd is a counselor at the boys’ home where Jude lives after the authorities remove him from Brother Luke’s custody. When Boyd drops off Jude at the Learys’ house for a “probationary weekend,”… read analysis of Boyd

Minor Characters

Citizen

Citizen is one of Jude’s fellow clerks at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Jude is friendliest with Citizen and Rhodes, with whom he works on securities fraud cases. They remain friends after their clerkship ends and they move on to different jobs.

Rhodes

Rhodes is one of Jude’s fellow clerks at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Jude is friendliest with Rhodes and Citizen, with whom he works on securities fraud cases. They remain friends after their clerkship ends and they move on to different jobs.

Dr. Li

Dr. Li is one of Jude’s math professors at MIT. He delivers a moving eulogy at Dr. Kashen’s funeral about “the axiom of zero,” a mathematical concept that explores the unprovability of nothingness. Dr. Li argues that in dying, Dr. Kashen “has proven the concept of zero.”

Brother Peter

Brother Peter is one of the monks at the monastery in South Dakota where Jude grew up. He and the other monks physically, sexually, and emotionally abused Jude, instilling in Jude a sense of internalized shame and worthlessness that he carries with him for the rest of his life.

Brother Michael

Brother Michael is one of the monks at the monastery in South Dakota where Jude grew up. He and the other monks physically, sexually, and emotionally abused Jude, instilling in Jude a sense of internalized shame and worthlessness that he carries with him for the rest of his life.

Brother Pavel

Brother Pavel is one of the monks at the monastery in South Dakota where Jude grew up. He and the other monks physically, sexually, and emotionally abused Jude, instilling in him a sense of internalized shame and worthlessness that he carries with him for the rest of his life.

Annika

Annika is one of JB’s coworkers at the arts magazine in SoHo where he works before his career takes off. At the beginning of the novel, Annika leases her aunt’s vacant apartment on Lispenard Street to Willem and Jude.

Mr. Baker

Mr. Baker is young Felix’s father; Jude tutors Felix for a time. Mr. Baker is very wealthy and has little time to understand his son or help him through his problems.

JB’s Father

JB’s father is a Haitian immigrant; he died when JB was three. JB didn’t know his father well enough to miss him.

JB’s Aunt

JB’s aunt is a detective. She took JB to the Museum of Modern Art when he was young, and this began his lifelong passion for art and inspired career as a painter. JB’s aunt, like the rest of JB’s family, has always believed in him and his art.

Black Henry Young

Black Henry Young is a friend that Jude, Willem, Malcolm, and JB have in common. They call him Black Henry Young to differentiate him from Asian Henry Young.

Asian Henry Young

Asian Henry Young is a friend that Jude, Willem, Malcolm, and JB have in common. They call him Asian Henry Young to differentiate him from Black Henry Young.

Giles

Giles is a therapist JB starts seeing (at his family’s insistence) after his family holds an intervention over JB’s drug use.

Linus

Linus is the doctor Andy selects to replace him when he retires from his practice. Jude appreciates Linus’s matter-of-fact approach, but he knows that he’ll never feel comfortable removing his clothes or sharing his history with any doctor besides Andy.

Harold’s Father

Harold’s father was a doctor who died not long before Harold first meets Jude. Harold was close with his father, but the shame Harold felt about his failure to save Jacob in the final year of Jacob’s life makes it hard for Harold to face his father.

Adele

Adele was Harold’s father’s office manager. She married Harold’s father after Harold’s mother’s death and loved Harold as her own child. Harold, in turn, loved Adele and saw her as his mother. Adele died not long before Harold first meets Jude.

Rodger

Rodger is one of the cruelest counselors at the boys’ home in Philadelphia where Jude lives after the police take him away from Brother Luke. Once, when Jude (unsuccessfully) tries to run away, Rodger beats Jude so hard his nose bleeds.

Colin

Colin is one of the counselors at the boys’ home where Jude lives after the police take him away from Brother Luke. Jude runs away from the home one night after Colin sexually assaults him in the barn.

The Douglasses

The Douglasses are an evangelical Lutheran family that fosters Jude and two other disabled children, Agnes and Rosie, as Jude recovers from Dr. Traylor’s attack.

Alex

Alex is Rhodes’s wife. She works for Rothko, the fashion label at which Caleb is the new CEO. This is how Caleb comes to attend Rhodes and Alex’s dinner party, which where he and Jude meet.

Tomasz

Tomasz is a new boyfriend JB starts seeing sometime after Willem’s and Jude’s deaths. Harold likes Tomasz and thinks Willem and Jude would have liked him, too.

India

India is Richard’s wife. She’s an artist, too.

Ali

Ali is an artist with whom JB shares studio space at the beginning of the novel.

Gillian

Gillian is Laurence’s wife. She’s an English professor.

Jane

Jane is Andy Contractor’s wife.

Findlay

Findlay is Willem’s boss at Ortolan, the upscale restaurant Willem works at as he struggles to get his acting career off the ground.

Merritt

Merritt is Willem’s former roommate. He’s also an actor.

Mr. Ahmed

Mr. Ahmed is a driver Willem’s assistant hires for Jude when Jude suffers a serious of serious infections prior to his amputation surgery.

Patrizia

Patrizia is a nurse who cares for Jude when a series of serious infections require him to receive an IV drip after his release from the hospital.

A Little Life Characters