The Sand-Man characters

Appears from the start

A university student whose childhood terror returns when he meets a travelling seller who resembles a sinister visitor from his father's household. Imaginative and emotionally intense, he becomes convinced that a hostile power has reached back into his life.

Appears from the start

Nathanael's clear-minded fiancée and Lothair's sister. She reads Nathanael's account of Coppelius and argues that the threatening figure has gained power chiefly through Nathanael's own fear and imagination.

Appears from the start

Clara's brother and Nathanael's close friend. Nathanael addresses his first account of the returning sandman to Lothair, trusting him as a member of the family to which Nathanael hopes to belong.

Appears from the start

A harsh lawyer who visited Nathanael's father at night during Nathanael's childhood. To the boy he became identified with the legendary Sandman who steals children's eyes. Coppelius frightened and abused Nathanael after catching him spying on the adults' secret experiments.

Appears from the start

An Italian barometer seller whose arrival at Nathanael's rooms revives the student's fear of Coppelius. Coppola offers optical instruments and insists on showing Nathanael a selection of spectacles and spyglasses.

Appears from the start

A professor who lives opposite Nathanael and presents the rarely seen Olimpia as his daughter. He proudly introduces her to society at an elaborate gathering.

Appears from the start

Spalanzani's beautiful, secluded daughter, whom Nathanael watches through a spyglass from across the street. Her stillness and limited conversation strike other people as strange, but Nathanael interprets her attention as profound sympathy.

Appears from the start

Nathanael's father, a gentle parent who becomes grave and secretive when Coppelius visits. He conducts dangerous nighttime experiments with the lawyer and tries to protect his hidden son when Coppelius discovers the boy.

Appears from the start

Nathanael's mother, who sends the children to bed early whenever Coppelius is expected. Her evasive explanation of the Sandman helps turn an ordinary bedtime warning into a focus for Nathanael's fears.

Appears from the start

A fellow student who remains skeptical of Nathanael's fascination with Olimpia. He gently points out her mechanical manner and the unease she causes other observers.