Player Piano

by

Kurt Vonnegut

Doctor Harold Roseberry is the football coach at Cornell University. Several years ago, the university bought him an expensive team of non-student athletes, so the Cornell football program has gone undefeated in recent seasons. But Roseberry is frustrated because Cornell hasn’t bought him any new players since then, and he fears this season won’t be as successful. This is why he tries to recruit Buck Young, a talented football player who has chosen to focus on his studies instead of playing sports (players aren’t allowed to study and vice versa). Roseberry is also the one to give Doctor Halyard a fitness test, which Halyard needs to pass in order to stay in his job. However, Roseberry knows that Halyard spoke badly of him to the university’s president, so he makes sure Halyard fails the test.
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Doctor Harold Roseberry Character Timeline in Player Piano

The timeline below shows where the character Doctor Harold Roseberry appears in Player Piano. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 28
Technology and Progress Theme Icon
Corporate Life vs. Human Connection Theme Icon
Doctor Harold Roseberry—the football coach and head of physical education at Cornell University—goes to the bar to meet... (full context)
Happiness, Self-Worth, and Passion Theme Icon
Corporate Life vs. Human Connection Theme Icon
At the bar, Roseberry tries to entice Buck with the prospect of a large salary. Buck asks if he... (full context)
Class Division and Competition Theme Icon
Corporate Life vs. Human Connection Theme Icon
After Harrison leaves, Roseberry and Buck make their way out of the bar to speak privately. On their way... (full context)
Technology and Progress Theme Icon
Happiness, Self-Worth, and Passion Theme Icon
After Halyard skims the letter and awkwardly leaves, Roseberry turns to Buck and asks whether or not he’ll join the football team. When Buck... (full context)