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character

Father Wendel

Father Wendel is a displaced priest who has lost his congregation and questions his guidance; Juliette now sees him as valuing hope over hatred.

Story so far

Father Wendel originally challenged Juliette’s disregard for religious rules, called the Digger the devil’s work, and, according to her, doubted that other silos existed. He said worshippers feared her work would kill everyone and treated scripture as the only book worth knowing. After an argument he let her refill her canteen but withheld a promised blessing.

His congregation crossed to the other silo before the main evacuation and sought a place to worship. Later, Wendel said the congregation was no longer his. Juliette found him crying alone in a holding cell, searching loose scripture pages and wondering whether he had led his flock to salvation or damnation. He burned a page after reading from Isaiah and blessed her journey after she declared an intention to punish those responsible. Juliette now thinks he has learned to value hope and the protection of others over hate.

He arrives while Juliette addresses the gathered survivors.

Appearance

Father Wendel is bald and wears white robes.

Role

A priest separated from his former congregation and reconsidering the consequences of his spiritual guidance.

Relationships

Juliette — Father Wendel initially condemns Juliette’s work but later blesses her journey; she comes to see hope and protection in his changed outlook.
Sources — 20 recorded facts, by chapter
Chapter 202
  • Father Wendel is bald and wears white robes.
  • Father Wendel questions whether Juliette believes in the gods because she takes their rules lightly.
  • Father Wendel calls the digger the devil’s work.
  • Father Wendel continues to doubt the existence of other silos, according to Juliette.
  • Father Wendel says worshippers fear Juliette’s work will kill everyone.
  • Father Wendel regards the church’s scripture as the only book worth knowing.
  • Father Wendel lets Juliette refill her canteen after their argument but does not give the promised blessing.
Chapter 203
  • Juliette thinks of Father Wendel as an example of the power of words and books to shape belief.
Chapter 217
  • Juliette associates Father Wendel and the church with hope for an existence after death.
Chapter 233
  • Father Wendel’s congregation crossed into the other silo before the main rush of refugees.
  • Bobby reports that Father Wendel and his people were seen heading out of Mechanical to find somewhere to worship.
Chapter 243
  • Mr. Rash says the flock formerly followed Father Wendel.
Chapter 246
  • Father Wendel says the congregation is no longer his.
  • Father Wendel searches through loose scripture pages while crying alone in a holding cell.
  • Father Wendel expresses uncertainty about whether he led his flock to damnation or salvation.
  • Father Wendel burns a page after reading from Isaiah.
  • Father Wendel blesses Juliette’s journey after she declares her intention to punish those responsible.
Chapter 248
  • Juliette reconsiders her anger at Father Wendel’s congregation.
Chapter 251
  • Juliette thinks Father Wendel had learned to value hope and protecting others over hate.
Chapter 252
  • Father Wendel arrives during Juliette’s address to the survivors.
Character portrait