Robert, the book’s anti-hero, is a man of two halves. His full name hints at the complexities of his identity. He is the second son of Laird George Colwan, but is named for his mother’s priest. While his older brother inherited his father’s names and affections, Robert was cast aside. To his father, he represents the utter failure of the marriage between Laird Colwan and Rabina. The editor suggests that Robert is almost certainly Laird Colwan’s son, but Laird Colwan cannot separate his loathing for his wife and her favored preacher, Robert Wringhim, from any affection he might have for his second son. He refuses to acknowledge Robert, so Wringhim enters the youngster’s life as a makeshift father figure. Robert is baptized with Wringhim’s name, leaving him with a full name that reflects the discord in his family. He is both Wringhim and Colwan, raised by the former after being disowned by the latter. Robert, raised in this atmosphere and resentment, directs his hatred toward his father and older brother.

Wringhim raises Robert in his own spiritual image. Like Wringhim, Robert is told that he is a justified man. He is raised as a staunch Calvinist and a believer in

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