For Whom the Bell Tolls characters

Pilar

An empowered woman who is Pablo's wife. She is the leading figure in their relations. In fact, she dominates over Pablo and makes him do what he should.  Surely, she is the strongest female character in the book. Pilar is a confirmed Republican who is committed to national affairs and...

Robert Jordan

The main character of the story, a young American, and a well-trained dynamiter. He is a well-built man with blonde hair. Robert Jordan's main duty is to blow up the bridge during the attack on Segovia. Hence, he enters the band of the gypsy soldiers who fought for freedom in the hills of...

Anselmo

A gentle-hearted man, a professional guide, and hunter, is the member of Pablo's band. He is sixty-eight years old, and he can't bear the death of human beings. Because of this, during the story, Anselmo has to suppress his reluctance to killing people. The main reason for such objection...

El Sordo

El Sordo ("The deaf one") is the leading figure in the guerrilla band of fighters, including Joaquín and Ignacio, the group that operates in the same mountains as Pablo's band. He is a short and heavy man, with grey hair. El Sordo is the leader who embodies a lot of power...

Pablo Saler

The exasperating leader of the guerilla band who has a radical point of view on killing people. He is an aging and selfish man of great courage who is greatly influenced by the war. In many ways, he is the most intriguing and complex character in the story. In fact, the hero accepts killing, and...

Primitivo

An old fighter of Pablo's band of guerillas. He is a flat-faced man, with gray hair and a broken nose. His name means "primitive," and it symbolizes his down-to-earth lifestyle and simplified perceptions of the war. Because of his appearance, Primitivo is referred all the time as...

Andrés

One of Pablo's band Guerilla fighters. The man is in his late twenties. He has earned the reputation of who have enjoyed participating in the fiesta “Bulldog of Villaconejos” that takes place each year at his hometown. Talking about the mission, Andrés is a happy fellow...

Eladio

Eladio is also a member of Pablo's band of Guerilla fighters. He is Andrés's older brother who is totally different from him. Unlike Andrés, he is one of the soldiers who do nothing worth to mention. Even though Eladio worries about everything much more than his brother and...

Agustín

One of the fighters in Pablo's band of guerrillas. To be more precise, he is a foundational member of the band. Though he is a loyal man, Agustín is one who makes hasty decisions and has a harsh temperament. He doesn't believe Pablo even though the man has the intelligence needed to...

Maria

A young Spanish woman who becomes beloved by Robert Jordan. The beautiful young girl has the life full of trials. Firstly, her life story has been undermined by her parents’ execution. In fact, Maria's father was a Republican leader. Besides, she has been for some time at the harsh hands...

Rafael

He is a member of Pablo's band. He is a gypsy with bright blue eyes and olive skin. He is shown as one who traps rabbits for their meat. Even more, he is proud of this accomplishment. The fact of trapping the animals also has a symbolic meaning in the context. In fact, before the gypsy kills...

Joaquín

A young eighteen years old boy, with a fear-drained face. Joaquín is the member of El Sordo's guerrilla band. He is an amiable, pleasant, and skinny young man with long, curly hair. Besides, he is the only one member of El Sordo's group that the readers know by name. Before the boy...

Fernando

A middle-aged member of Pablo's band which seems to live by old customs and obey the established norms of morality. Throughout the story, he is a very solemn person who merely serves his primary duty. Fernando is a short man in his mid-thirties who is easily offended by vulgarities. Besides...