Essays · Character
The Landlord
The true host at the sign of the Black Horse or Spread Eagle, a man of such universal sympathies he loves all men equally and treats his nearest neighbor as a stranger.
supporting
Also known as the landlord, The landlord
First appearance: The Landlord
As a supporting figure in Essays, The Landlord is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
The central figure of the essay, celebrated for his primitive hospitality, sincerity, and public spirit.
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The Landlord is Thoreau's allegorical figure of hospitality, a self-appointed brother of his race who feeds and shelters men from pure love of the creatures rather than charity or philanthropy. His flaw is also his…
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See The Landlord in The LandlordCharacter Web
10 connectionsA slice of how The Landlord sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Diverse historical and contemporary figures
- Heroic and historical exemplars
- Poets of realism and epic
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Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of the apple tree’s strug…
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The Landlord appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
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See The Landlord in The Landlord