Paul is the 35-year-old manager of the Ilium plant and the son of a famous industrialist. Despite having a highly successful career and a comfortable life, he harbors growing doubts about the automated society he helps run. He feels drawn to the unmechanized past and the lower-class citizens of Homestead, seeking a simpler existence away from corporate expectations.

Coming from humble origins in Homestead, Anita uses her marriage to Paul to secure an upper-class lifestyle. She is intensely ambitious, meticulously managing Paul's career and domestic life to ensure he climbs the socioeconomic ladder. She channels her artistic energy into urging Paul to conform to corporate expectations.

A brilliant engineer and one of the founding members of the Ilium engineering corps. Finnerty is notoriously lax about his grooming and refuses to conform to the bureaucratic mindset of the elite class. He possesses a rebellious streak and a deep sympathy for humanity, leading him to frequent the lower-class area of Homestead.

A quintessential corporate elite who serves as Paul's boss and acts as a father figure to the men under him. He firmly believes in the mechanized system established by Paul's father and continuously steers Paul toward a higher management path. Ironically, he finds comfort in antique items like old shotguns and record players.

The spiritual leader of six million members of the Kolhouri sect. He visits the United States to observe its advanced industrial system, evaluating the culture through his own spiritual and traditional lens. He views the unemployed masses as slaves and questions the lack of spiritual leadership in the country.

A former Doctor of Sociology whose degree holds no value in the highly mechanized society. He functions as a reverend in the lower-class Homestead area, possessing a sharp intellect and a philosophical worldview regarding the displacement of human labor.

An ambassador tasked with escorting the visiting Shah across the United States. He constantly attempts to explain and defend the efficiency of the American lifestyle to his skeptical guest. He faces personal anxiety over an incomplete physical education requirement from his time at Cornell University.

Second-in-command to Paul at the Ilium plant. He is fiercely competitive, treating life and career progression like a point-scoring game. He actively seeks to undermine Paul to advance his own position in the corporate hierarchy.

Paul's secretary at the Ilium plant. She takes pride in her work and is offended when she realizes her job could easily be replaced by a machine.

An Ilium engineer who possesses a knack for inventing. He loses his job after designing a machine that can perform his duties more efficiently than he can.

An interpreter traveling with The Shah of Bratpuhr. He translates The Shah's observations and ancient riddles for the Americans leading the tour.

An aged, former machinist for the Ilium plant who now lives in Homestead. He looks up to Paul and hopes to secure a job at the Works for his son.

An older and highly devoted manager at Ilium. He competes directly with Paul for the prestigious Pittsburgh job and serves as Paul's tent mate during the team-building competition.

The chief engineer of the Eastern Division. Described as a brilliant mind but lacking social grace, he forms a perfect managing pair with the more charismatic Doctor Kronus.

The Executive and a powerful boss within the national manufacturing system. He rose to his prominent position without a college degree by making consistently smart business deals.

A young engineer whom Paul meets at a corporate function. He demonstrates basic decency and independence, prompting Paul to encourage him to decide his own path in life.

A real estate agent who facilitates the sale of a dilapidated farmhouse. He is baffled by Paul's desire to purchase a property lacking modern mechanical amenities.

An older man who cares for the antiquated farmhouse Paul buys. He feels a deep sense of ownership over the land because he is the only person who works it.

An average worker living in Homestead whose habits are extensively tracked by machines. He attempts to find meaning in a highly structured, impersonal society.

Edgar's wife. She maintains the household and reacts tearfully but acceptingly when her husband confesses to a personal transgression.

A privileged young engineer whose father is famous in the field. His reliance on a computerized machine to play checkers shows the younger generation's dependence on technology.