Martin Eden
The object of Martin's affection, who inspires his self-improvement but later doubts his writing career.
I
A pale, ethereal young woman with golden hair; she discusses literature with Martin and is both embarrassed and intrigued by his intense gaze.
II
Feels a conflicted attraction to Martin's vitality and fire, but is repelled by his roughness and the dirt of his labor. She uses music as a weapon to emphasize the gulf between them, yet is startled by a fleeting glimpse of his soul.
III
Martin's idealized vision of her purity and beauty dominates his thoughts; she represents a divine, unattainable ideal.
IV
Ruth is the object of Martin's idealized thoughts; her name and image inspire his self-improvement resolve.
V
Martin idealizes her as the embodiment of beauty and refinement, and her memory drives his desire for self-improvement.
VI
The object of Martin's obsession; he glimpses her at the theater and through a window.
Chapter VII
Listens to Martin's plea for guidance; corrects his grammar and suggests formal education; feels a sense of power and potential in him despite his rough speech.
VIII
Helps Martin with English and arithmetic; reads poetry aloud; views Martin as a novelty and feels an impulse to tame him; unaware of her own growing feelings and the nature of love.
IX
Martin's love for Ruth inspires his writing and self-improvement.
Chapter X
Satisfied with Martin's impression on her father; disappointed by his exam failure; urges him to attend night school; corrects his grammar; shocked but forgiving when he swears.
Chapter XI
Inspires Martin's love poems; her cherry-stained lips lead to a pivotal moment where Martin sees her as a mortal woman rather than a divine ideal.
XII
Invites Martin to a lecture, walks with him on his arm, comments on Lizzie Connolly's appearance, and shows pity for the working-class girl.
Chapter XIII
Advocates for Latin as mental discipline and cultural equipment; is less enthusiastic about Spencer than Martin; is defended by Martin against Olney's criticism.
Chapter XIV
Accompanies Martin to the hills, questions his practical view of beauty, and agrees to read his 'Sea Lyrics' with a promise of frank criticism.
XV
Martin thinks of Ruth as a pale, ethereal girl who would be horrified by his past.
XVI
Ruth is absent, spending the summer at Lake Tahoe with her family, but Martin thinks of her and the gulf between their worlds.
Chapter XVII
She returns Martin's 'Sea Lyrics' by mail with a letter that, despite polite praise, reveals her disapproval and lack of faith in his work.
XIX
Newly graduated, she spends time with Martin, is shocked by his confession, but feels pity and a desire to reform him.
Chapter XX
She experiences the old shock of Martin's strength and health, delights in his love-manifestations, and leans against him during a moonlight sail, feeling a deep, unspoken intimacy.
XXI
Confesses her love for Martin, experiences jealousy over his past, and shares a passionate embrace.
Chapter XXII
Conflicted between her love for Martin and her disappointment in his refusal to pursue a stable business career; she confesses their engagement to her mother, despite her own doubts.
XXIII
Martin acknowledges her lack of faith in his writing but loves her nonetheless; she is the motivation for his desire for fame.
Chapter XXIV
Disapproves of Martin's writing and his unconventional ideas; she is unable to understand his intellectual flights and feels vexed by his criticism of established culture.
XXV
Views Martin's poverty through a middle-class lens, seeing it as salutary and a spur to success; fails to recognize his true hunger and suffering.
XXVI
Visits Martin during his illness, is shocked by his poverty and smoking, persuades him to quit smoking, but struggles with her love for him versus her social ideals.
XXVII
Observes Martin at the social gathering, worries about his lack of decorum, and later discusses Professor Caldwell with him.
XXVIII
Provides an anti-tobacco remedy for Martin, but views his efforts as merely doing what is right.
Chapter XXIX
Present at the dinner debate, she chides Martin for his remarks about Mr. Hapgood and watches the argument between Martin and her father with anxiety.
The Crisis of Faith
Expresses doubt about Martin's writing career, urges him to take up journalism, and reveals her loss of faith in his literary vocation.
XXXII
Mentioned as the one who gave Brissenden Martin's address over the phone.
XXXIII
Mentioned as the recipient of Martin's excuse for missing Thanksgiving dinner; she is unhappy with his reason.
Chapter XXXIV
Visits Martin to invite him to Thanksgiving dinner, but leaves disappointed after hearing his story and learning he spent his money on Maria's cows.
XXXV
Is hurt and ashamed when she sees Martin with the Silva family, interpreting it as a lack of pride and a sign of his working-class origins.
Chapter XXXVII
Dines with Martin; is hurt and outraged by his outburst at the judge but still drawn to him; shares an emotional moment with him afterward.
XXXIX
Ruth writes a letter breaking off the engagement, citing her parents' opposition and Martin's past, expressing hurt and disappointment without anger.
XL
Meets Martin on the street with her brother Norman and tells him she never wishes to see him again, citing disgrace from newspaper reports.
XLI
Mentioned indirectly as the one who asked Martin to stop smoking; Martin now resumes smoking, feeling no reason to abstain.
XLII
Estrangement from Ruth is noted as part of the 'big hole' in Martin's life.
XLIV
Martin speaks of Ruth without emotional turmoil, reflecting on how she valued bourgeois standards over his work.
XLV
Visits Martin, confesses her love, and offers to abandon her bourgeois life for him, but is rejected as it is too late.
