# Michael O'Hara — Early Autumn character guide > Michael O'Hara in Early Autumn by Louis Bromfield. **Role:** major **Also known as:** O'Hara, Michael, This O'Hara **First appearance:** 0002-i ## Snapshot A big, powerful, self-made Irishman with a little-boy loneliness under the horses and the new house, O'Hara is the outsider Sabine calls 'complete.' ## Who they are O'Hara has built a gentleman's life — career, dogs, horses, shiny accoutrements — yet Sabine sees in him the boy she once found playing alone on a Paris curb at midnight. Anson's slur about 'shanty Irishmen' and Olivia's deepening attachment to him turn O'Hara into the flashpoint of the family's buried snobbery. His candor and self-reliance make him the one person who might actually give Olivia a way out. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned in the argument; Anson objects to Sybil riding with him, calling him a 'shanty Irishman.' ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/i) O'Hara is introduced as an Irish politician and Roman Catholic who bought Sabine's land and improved it. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/iv) Visits Sabine; they converse and recognize a mutual kinship. He reveals he rides daily with Sybil and expresses interest in the Pentland family. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/ii) Described by Sybil as middle-aged but interesting; buys land from a farmer; represents vitality and zest for life in contrast to the Pentland family. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/iii) Described as profoundly lonely despite his many friends; Sabine sees a vulnerable, boyish side to him. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/iv) Attends the dinner, then follows Olivia into the garden and confesses his true feelings for her. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned as the object of Olivia's affection, representing a potential escape from her stifling life. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/i) Sends a floral arrangement and a note to Anson's wife, which Aunt Cassie scrutinizes, revealing Olivia's quiet defense of him. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/ii) Present at the church service and the burial, forever outside the caste, one of the few not swept up by the family pride. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/iii) O'Hara is consumed by his desire for Olivia Pentland, seeing her as a unique and transformative figure. He is bored with his easy political victories and finds new purpose in the challenge of winning her, though he waits cautiously. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/v) Becomes friends with Jean de Cyon, lending him a canoe and rowing-scull and offering a horse from his stables. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/vi) Discussed by Aunt Cassie and Sabine; Olivia defends him and mentions learning about his past. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/viii) Michael is the object of Olivia's growing affection, symbolizing a potential escape from her constrained life. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/iii) O'Hara visits the Pentland house for the first time, dressed in radical fashion, and is resented by Anson for his cynicism. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/iv) Michael confesses his love and anguish to Olivia, proposing marriage despite the obstacles. He is deeply devoted and impatient, but agrees to wait for Sybil's marriage. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/ix) Michael O'Hara is the object of Olivia's affection and the catalyst for her internal conflict between duty and desire. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/i) Discussed as not being a romantic interest for Sybil; John Pentland expresses cautious respect. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/ii) Constantly in Olivia's thoughts; John Pentland warns Olivia about him, calling him 'a clever Irishman on the make.' ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/iii) Detained in Boston; his absence triggers Olivia's jealousy and doubt; Mr. Gavin reports he is losing interest in his campaign. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/iv) Discussed as the object of Olivia's feelings; Sabine reveals he confides in her about Olivia. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/ii) Michael telephones Olivia and meets her in the pine thicket. He confesses his love, asks her to run away with him, and shares his troubles in Boston. Olivia ultimately refuses him. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/iii) Sends notes to Olivia, which she returns unopened; he puts his house up for sale and leaves Durham. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/characters/michael_ohara - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/characters