Doremus is a 60-year-old owner and editor of the *Daily Informer* in Fort Beulah, Vermont. He identifies as a middle-class liberal intellectual who values literature, history, and reasoned debate over political extremes. Initially, he serves as a cynical but detached observer of the changing political climate, believing that American institutions are too strong to fall to totalitarianism. As demagogue politicians gain traction, he finds his passive liberalism increasingly challenged.

Windrip is a highly charismatic and opportunistic politician seeking the presidency. He relies on folksy humor, energetic oratory, and grand, contradictory promises to build a massive following among disaffected voters. While he portrays himself as a champion of the common man, he lacks formal education and operates primarily out of a desire for power and personal enrichment rather than genuine ideological belief.

Lorinda manages the Beulah Valley Tavern and stands out in Fort Beulah for her outspoken feminism and progressive politics. She is highly intelligent and fiercely independent, refusing to conform to the town's conservative expectations for women. Her sharp mind and political awareness make her a vital counterpart to Doremus Jessup.

Sarason serves as the true intellectual architect behind Buzz Windrip's political ascent. He is a highly intelligent, cynical strategist who writes Windrip's speeches and campaign materials. Believing that the public cannot be trusted to govern itself, he seeks to establish absolute control through a meticulously crafted propaganda machine.

Emma is Doremus's wife and the mother of their three children. She prefers a quiet, domestic life and has virtually no interest in politics or the broader changes occurring in the country. She values routine, social respectability, and the preservation of her household comforts above ideological struggles.

Mary is a married homemaker who fits traditional societal expectations. She focuses her energy entirely on her husband and young son, living a comfortable, insulated life in Fort Beulah. Like her mother, she initially pays little attention to the sweeping political movements gaining traction in the country.

Sissy is a bright, energetic high-school senior with ambitions of becoming an architect. She embodies the ideals of a modern young woman, holding progressive views on relationships, careers, and independence. Her sharp observations and lack of traditional propriety frequently surprise her parents.

Karl is a former labor union leader who now works as a mechanic. He is a devoted and vocal communist who believes that only a radical restructuring of society can cure America's economic illnesses. He spends much of his time debating political theory with his friends and coworkers.

Trowbridge is an establishment Republican politician running against Buzz Windrip. He conducts a placid, honest campaign focused on incremental change rather than sweeping, impossible promises. Because he refuses to match Windrip's dramatic showmanship, he struggles to excite an electorate desperate for quick economic fixes.

Haik is a disciplined military man who becomes a crucial early supporter of Windrip's political movement. He brings a stark, militarized approach to civilian politics, valuing strict order, power, and hierarchy above democratic norms.

Macgoblin is a highly educated man who abandons traditional academic integrity to serve as an advisor for Windrip's populist movement. He assists in producing campaign songs and propaganda, utilizing his intellect to justify authoritarian policies to the professional classes.

Ledue is the Jessup family's hired handyman. He is viewed by Doremus as lazy and incompetent, while Ledue deeply resents Doremus's middle-class lifestyle and intellectualism. This mutual animosity makes Ledue highly receptive to Windrip's populist messaging, which validates his grievances against the professional class.

Philip is Doremus and Emma's son, practicing as a lawyer. Unlike his father, Philip is drawn to conservative and prejudiced political views, prioritizing order, business interests, and security over civil liberties. His political leanings frequently create tension within the otherwise close-knit family.

Fowler is Mary's husband and a successful local physician in Fort Beulah. He represents the comfortable, professional class who believe that America is entirely immune to radical political upheaval, viewing his father-in-law's warnings as mere paranoia.

David is the young son of Mary and Dr. Fowler Greenhill. He represents the innocent, younger generation whose future is at stake as the nation's political landscape undergoes drastic changes.

Bishop Prang is a deeply influential radio preacher who leads an organization known as the League of Forgotten Men. Operating as a political kingmaker, he commands the loyalty of millions of listeners, making his eventual endorsement crucial to Windrip's rise.

Buck is Doremus Jessup's closest friend in Fort Beulah. A dependable and practical man, he shares Doremus's deep skepticism regarding the sudden rise of extremist politics and stands by him as the town's social dynamics begin to fracture.

Julian is an intelligent college student who frequently courts Sissy Jessup. He shares Doremus's liberal concerns about the shifting political tides, possessing an intellectual curiosity that aligns well with the Jessup household.

Tasbrough is a prominent industrialist and quarry owner in Fort Beulah. He represents the wealthy, conservative elite who welcome an authoritarian leader, believing a strongman will crush labor unions and enforce profitable economic efficiency.

Gimmitch is a tireless conservative activist who campaigns passionately against feminism. She believes women belong strictly in the home and utilizes her talents to write patriotic, fervent campaign songs to boost Windrip's populist appeal.

Pollikop is a mechanic with staunch socialist beliefs. He spends his working days engaging in fierce ideological debates with his communist coworker Karl, highlighting the fractures within the left-wing working class.