Little Hans
Hans is the protagonist in the Linnet’s tale. He is an innocent, good-natured peasant who believes himself to be the Miller’s best friend. He is a peasant belonging to the working class—he lives…
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Hugh the Miller
The Miller is the antagonist in the Linnet’s tale. He is a rich, exploitative merchant who manipulates Hans into performing labor in the name of friendship. The Miller is an incredibly wealthy man—“he had…
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Minor Characters
The Linnet
The Linnet narrates the story of Hans and the Miller. He tells the story in order to show the Water-rat the dangers of one-sided friendships, but the Water-rat refuses to pick up on this moral.
The Water-rat
The Water-rat, along with the Duck, is the audience to the Linnet. He appears to sympathize with the Miller; the Water-rat also has a very lopsided view of friendship and, like the Miller, has many “beautiful sentiments” about friendship and life.
The Miller’s Wife
The Miller’s wife appears to share all of the Miller’s ideas and supports his exploitation of Hans. She constantly lavishes her husband with praise, applauding him for his wise sayings about friendship and life.
The Miller’s Son
The Miller’s son sympathizes with Hans but is chastised by the Miller for this sympathy.
The Duck
The Duck, along with the Water-rat, is the audience to the Linnet.
