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Martin Eden · Character

Mr. Butler

A successful lawyer Martin meets, representing bourgeois success.

minor

First appearance: xi

Mr. Butler shows up with force in VIII. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Mentioned as an example of a self-made man who rose from poverty to wealth through hard work and education, but whose life Martin finds spiritually lacking.
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In VIII: Mentioned as an example of a self-made man who rose from poverty to wealth through hard work and education, but whose life Martin finds spiritually lacking. Later, in Chapter XIII: States he has no patience…

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See Mr. Butler in xi

Character Web

9 connections

A slice of how Mr. Butler sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

BHBernard Higgin…HVHermann von Sc…RMRuth MorseMEMartin EdenCHCharles HapgoodMBMr. Butler

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Martin's intellectual and social influences
  • Martin's family and in-laws
  • Minor characters from various social spheres
  • Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Martin reaches his absolute psychological nadir—the "desperate and…

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In the story

Mr. Butler appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mr. Butler in xi