The Barometer Peddler

Traces the appearances of Coppola/Coppelius as a catalyst for the plot.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

First appearance as barometer seller

The Unwelcome Salesman The Visit A barometer salesman entered Nathaniel's room. Nathaniel immediately recognized him as the hated Coppelius, now calling himself Giuseppe Coppola. The Threat Nathaniel threatened to throw him down the stairs. The salesman left, but the shock was profound. The Letter Nathaniel wrote to Lothar, describing the encounter and vowing to avenge his father's death. This event reawakened his trauma.

Second appearance as lens grinder

The Peddler of Eyes The Terrifying Wares Coppola returned, selling eyeglasses and telescopes. He cried, 'A pair o' lovely peepers!' and laid out hundreds of glasses that seemed to stare at Nathaniel. The Purchase Nathaniel bought a small looking-glass to overcome his fear. This glass would later be used to spy on Olympia and trigger his final madness. The Laugh Coppola left laughing. Nathaniel felt a shudder, but convinced himself it was nothing.

Involvement in the automaton

The Co-Creator The Fight Nathaniel found Spalanzani and Coppola fighting over Olympia. Coppola claimed he made the eyes. He tore the automaton apart and threw the eyes at Nathaniel. The Flight Coppola fled with the automaton's body, laughing. He disappeared from town. The Return He later reappeared at the market square just before Nathaniel's suicide, taunting the crowd.

Final appearance at the suicide

The Dark Witness The Crowd Coppelius stood in the crowd below the tower. He laughed and said Nathaniel would come down on his own. The Leap Nathaniel saw him, screamed 'Eyes a pretty!' and jumped to his death. Coppelius vanished into the crowd. The Enduring Mystery Coppelius's fate remains unknown. He is the embodiment of the dark force that destroys Nathaniel.

30 October, at noon

After Nathaniel's move to a new apartment

The night of the revelation

The climax of the tower incident