# The Landlord — Essays character guide

> The Landlord in Essays by Henry David Thoreau.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the landlord, The landlord

**First appearance:** 0011-the-landlord

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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 glory: he would sacrifice the tender ties of private friendship for a broad, sunshiny friendship with all humanity, so that even his neighbor of years receives only the civilities of the road. He matters because he embodies Thoreau's meditation on the tavern as the most sacred roof — the one that shelters most of humanity.

## In the story

### [The Landlord](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/the-landlord)

The central figure of the essay, celebrated for his primitive hospitality, sincerity, and public spirit. He is portrayed as a healthy, open, and sociable man who offers himself freely to all travelers.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters/the_landlord
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters