Simon Boudlin

Simon Boudlin is the protagonist of Simon the Fiddler. He is a travelling fiddle player, originally from Kentucky. Simon is poor but his unique status as a musician enables him to move freely in all social circles.

Simon has a very unique appearance. The narrator describes, “His hair was reddish brown and curly; he was short and spare. He always shaved close so that he had no beard shadow. He could pass for fifteen years of age if not in direct sunlight” (1). Simon’s physical appearance is significant in that it enables him to avoid the conscription men for so long. Simon’s youthfulness makes him attractive to the ladies and makes men trust him.

Simon’s hamartia is his “hair-trigger temper” (6). Simon’s anger frequently gets the best of him. He frequently engages in fistfights at bars and cannot bear to take any insult lightly. The...