# Mr. Morton — Indian Summer character guide

> Mr. Morton in Indian Summer by William Dean Howells.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Rev. Mr. Morton, Morton

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

An earnest young clergyman who prescribes courses of Kingsley and Italian poetry, quietly competing with Colville for Imogene's attention and admiration.

## Who they are

Mr. Morton arrives in the Florentine circle with a program of serious reading and moral improvement, gathering flowers at the Cascine and recommending earnest authors to an impressionable Imogene. His presence sharpens Colville's sense of being excluded from the pleasures of youth, and his unspoken rivalry with the older man gives the social scenes their quiet friction. He represents the pull of disciplined purpose against Colville's more relaxed and seasoned charm.

## Relationships

### [Mrs. Bowen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/mrs_bowen)

_friendship_

Mr. Morton is a loyal and devoted friend to Mrs. Bowen, often acting as her confidant and supporter.

### [Imogene Graham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/imogene_graham)

_social_

Imogene Graham and Mr. Morton are acquaintances within the same social circle, with no deep emotional bond.

### [Effie Bowen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/effie_bowen)

_social_

Effie Bowen and Mr. Morton have a polite, distant acquaintance through Mrs. Bowen's household.

### [Mrs. Bowen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/mrs_bowen)

_friendship_

Mr. Morton is a loyal and devoted friend to Mrs. Bowen, often acting as her confidant and supporter.

### [Imogene Graham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/imogene_graham)

_social_

Imogene Graham and Mr. Morton are acquaintances within the same social circle, with no deep emotional bond.

### [Mrs. Bowen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/mrs_bowen)

_friendship_

Mr. Morton is a loyal and devoted friend to Mrs. Bowen, often acting as her confidant and supporter.

### [Imogene Graham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/imogene_graham)

_social_

Imogene Graham and Mr. Morton are acquaintances within the same social circle, with no deep emotional bond.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as a clergyman who does not flatter, and is described as Low Church.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xviii)

Returns from Rome and resumes visiting Mrs. Bowen's salon; Colville suspects he is interested in Mrs. Bowen and may have received financial help from her.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xx)

Sits beside Imogene in the carriage, participates in the conversation, and is unaware of the tension surrounding Colville's relationship with Imogene.

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xxii)

Mentioned as the young clergyman whom Colville hopes Imogene might appreciate.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xxiii)

Mentioned as having proposed to Imogene and been refused.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/mr_morton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters