Hans Schnier is the "Clown" of the novel's title. He is a twenty-seven years old agnostic from a very wealthy family. At the beginning of the story he arrives in Bonn, Germany. As a clown, he had to travel across the country from city to city to perform as an artist. He always sees himself as an artist. His home is in Bonn, so he has to stay in hotels when he is not in Bonn. The woman he has been living with, Marie, has left him to marry another man, Zupfner. Therefore, Hans has become depressed. He wants to get Marie back from Zupfner, and also has serious financial problems.