Oskar Matzerath
Oscar is the protagonist and first person narrative of The Tin Drum. The narration is delivered from an insane asylum by a 30 year old man whose response to horrors taking place around him with the rise of the Nazis in Germany was to literally will him to stop growing after the age of three. The lack of growth was limited to physical development since he was already by the time he made this decision fully mature intellectually.
Sigismund Markus
Markus is the Jewish owner of the toy store where Oskar’s mother buys the drums into which Oskar imparts a powerful and even magical ability to transport consciousness. Not just his ow, but other people as well. Markus is destined to kill himself shortly before Stormtroopers finally arrive to ransack his store.
Agnes Matzerath
Oskar’s mother who carries on a long term incestuous affair with her cousin for most of the first half the novel.
Jan Bronski
Cousin and lover of Agnes and potentially the father of Oskar. He will suspected of being a member of the Polish underground resistance and will be executed by the Nazis.
Alfred Matzerath
Oskar’s recognized father and member of the Nazi Party who will meet his fate at the hands of the Russian army as the war draws to a close.
Maria Truczinski
Maria is Oskar’s first true love, but will ultimately marry his father, Alfred. The child she bears has the potential of being either Oskar’s son or his half-brother.
