Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Dr. Pickerbaugh

Martin meets with a lot of opposition in this book, but there's no one who represents everything wrong with the world of science more than Dr. Pickerbaugh. It's not like Pickerbaugh is a mean dude or anything. He never argues with Martin or treats him poorly.

In fact, it's precisely because Pickerbaugh is always smiling and waving to the crowds that Martin dislikes him so much. Pickerbaugh has absolutely no interest in scientific truth. All he cares about is making people like him and having the adoration of his community.

For Martin, Pickerbaugh's priorities are all sorts of screwed up. The sad thing is, though, that it's men like Pickerbaugh who always end up holding positions of power in the field of science.