Dean Jocelin is the human force behind the building of the spire. He is a study in contradictions, and as such he reflects the theme. The idea of building the spire comes to him in a vision, so he believes he has been chosen to do God's work. But soon, religious fervor is replaced by pride and will as Jocelin exploits all those around him to achieve his aims. He simply shuts out from his awareness the damage he is doing, until in the end of the novel, he is forced to see the evil in himself.

Roger Mason, the master builder, is the representative of reason which opposes Jocelin's spiritual impetus. He calculates that the foundations are not adequate for the spire but is overruled and overrun by Jocelin.

Pangall and his wife Goody are two other victims of Jocelin's monomania.

Their fate and that of the...