The Man Who Could Work Miracles (1936) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

An ordinary haberdasher's assistant who unexpectedly gains power. He struggles with how to use miracles, oscillating between moments of generosity and fear. His rise to self-importance leads him to attempt a personal utopia, only to realize the consequences of wielding unlimited power.

• 🧩 Protagonist
• 🧠 Intellectual
• 🔥 Flawed
• 🏰 Manipulated power

A military man who becomes wary of Fotheringay's power and his own authority being challenged. He attempts to confront or shoot the miracle worker but is thwarted by the latter's invulnerability. His character embodies the blunt force of state power confronting magical disruption.

• 🎖️ Military
• 🧭 Authority
• ⚔️ Conflict

One of the celestials who oversees Earth and the experiment. He treats humanity with a clinical detachment, reminding that the outcome is a test of maturity rather than a simple boon. His attitude frames the moral tension between power and responsibility.

• 👁️‍🗨️ Celestial
• 🪐 Detachment
• 🌟 Metaphysical

A cautious local vicar who orchestrates the plan to overthrow famine, plague, and war. He sees Fotheringay's powers as a means to implement a moral order, but his scheme is exposed to risk and manipulation. He embodies religious zeal and social reformist ambition.

• 🙏 Religious
• 🕊️ Moralism
• 🧭 Planner

The police officer who becomes a casualty of Fotheringay's misdirected miracles, relocated to San Francisco. He represents law and order encountering the chaos of magical acts. His presence in SF marks the global reach of a single man's powers.

• 🚓 Law & Order
• 🗺️ Relocation
• 🌁 City

Love interest who becomes a symbol of human tenderness amid grandiose schemes. She observes the unfolding events with practical concern and compassion. Her relationship with Fotheringay anchors the emotional stakes of the story.

• ❤️ Romance
• 👩‍🦰 Compassion
• 👀 Observant

A member of the household or community who witnesses the disruption caused by miracles. She represents the everyday voice of the town affected by magical interference. Her reactions ground the fantastical elements in ordinary life.

• 🏠 Domestic
• 👀 Witness
• 🗣️ Local

A supporting character who interacts with Fotheringay's world as miracles unfold. He is part of the social milieu surrounding the central events. He mirrors the public's curiosity and confusion.

• 👥 Supporting
• 🗨️ Social

Character who appears in the social circle affected by the miracles. She adds to the tapestry of everyday life disrupted by extraordinary powers. Her presence helps portray the breadth of the town's response.

• 👗 Social
• 🗨️ Interaction

A dignified servant who observes the shift in power dynamic around the Colonel's household. He provides a grounded perspective on the changes wrought by miracles. His presence emphasizes class and service within the setting.

• 🧑‍🏫 Servant
• 🏰 Household
• 🗨️ Observer

A man gains godlike powers and must confront the responsibilities that come with it. His decisions demonstrate how power amplifies intent, yet also amplifies harm when misused. The film explores whether power should be wielded for utopia or stabilized by restraint. The consequences of his actions reveal how fragile human ethics can be when authority is unleashed.

The Celestials grant power but deny control over free will, forcing a test of humanity. Fotheringay's attempted benevolence collides with unintended choices and suffering. The story suggests that true moral growth requires the acceptance of choice, even when it leads to mistakes. The narrative probes whether power can coexist with genuine freedom.

Fotheringay's arrogance grows as he conjures a personal utopia, dressing like a king and commanding world leaders. The dream of perfection proves brittle and self-defeating when reality intrudes. The characters' manipulations reveal how ego can corrupt visions of a better world. The downfall culminates in the destruction caused by overreaching pride.

The film contrasts a fabricated, ideal realm with the imperfect real world. Attempts to erase famine, war, and poverty expose the fragility of social reform when pursued through magical means. The catastrophe dramatizes the cost of bypassing human systems and ethics. In the end, the story questions whether a perfect society can exist without compromising free will and dignity.