Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Fire Chief Conklin

Ever heard of a stock character? That's what Conklin is. Doctorow creates him to embody all the aspects of bigoted, white hatred of blacks. Conklin is a coward hiding behind his badge, a drunk who disappears when Coalhouse calls him out. We know if Conklin ever met Coalhouse in a dark alley, he'd act very differently than he does on that day at the firehouse.