Dawn (Unabriged) characters

Appears from the start

A young Jewish survivor of the Nazi camps who has joined an underground movement fighting British rule in Palestine. Orphaned by the Holocaust and trained to obey the movement's discipline, he narrates the night on which he is ordered to execute a hostage at dawn.

Appears from the start

The underground recruiter who finds Elisha in Paris and persuades him to go to Palestine. Calm, committed, and authoritative, he becomes Elisha's guide within the movement and remains beside him during the night before the execution.

Appears from the start

A British army officer abducted by the underground and held as a hostage. The movement announces that he will die if the British execute one of its captured fighters, making him the focus of Elisha's vigil.

Appears from the start

An underground fighter captured during an operation and condemned to death by the British authorities. The movement kidnaps John Dawson and threatens retaliation in an attempt to prevent his execution.

Appears from the start

The underground's radio announcer, whose disembodied voice broadcasts its warnings and declarations. She spends the night with Elisha and the other fighters while the deadline approaches.

First appears in chapter 2

A veteran member of the underground who waits with Elisha in the house. His commitment and experience contribute to the group's effort to treat the coming execution as a necessary act of war.

First appears in chapter 2

One of the underground members gathered with Elisha on the night of the planned reprisal. He shares the movement's discipline and helps keep watch as news of the British decision is awaited.

Appears from the start

The unseen commander of the underground. His orders determine the movement's response to David ben Moshe's sentence, and his authority reaches Elisha through the organization's chain of command.