Character Analysis
The narrator of the preface barely shows up in Harry's version of events, as someone that the landlady mentions in passing. However, Harry made a big enough impression on him to make him collect his papers and publish him.
Even though he doesn't come into the real action of the story, the preface is important for setting up what we're about to read and giving us an outside perspective on the Steppenwolf. The narrator, Harry's landlady's nephew, is a responsible, ordinary guy who is fascinated by Harry's strange life.