Harlan Oliphant

Dan Oliphant

Dan and Harlan are brothers, bound by blood but often strained by rivalry and differing loyalties.

Martha Shelby

Harlan and Martha are entangled in a passionate but destructive romantic affair.

Mrs. Savage

Harlan is also employed by Mrs. Savage, sharing a tense and exploitative professional relationship.

Lena McMillan

Harlan is obsessively fixated on Lena, viewing her as a prize to be won from his brother Dan.

Grandma Savage

Grandma Savage is Harlan's grandmother, but their relationship is strained by his manipulative nature.

George McMillan

George and Harlan are antagonists, often clashing over Lena and local power dynamics.

Dan Oliphant

Dan and Harlan are brothers, bound by blood but often strained by rivalry and differing loyalties.

Martha Shelby

Harlan and Martha are entangled in a passionate but destructive romantic affair.

Martha Shelby

Harlan and Martha are entangled in a passionate but destructive romantic affair.

Dan Oliphant

Dan and Harlan are brothers, bound by blood but often strained by rivalry and differing loyalties.

Mrs. Savage

Harlan is also employed by Mrs. Savage, sharing a tense and exploitative professional relationship.

Lena McMillan

Harlan is obsessively fixated on Lena, viewing her as a prize to be won from his brother Dan.

I

The fastidious, aristocratic younger brother who keeps immaculate and disapproves of Dan's activities.

II

Dan's brother, mentioned as having a different accent and being more reserved.

III

Mentioned as Dan's brother who finds the city 'squalid' upon returning.

V

Sardonic and observant during Dan's announcement, comments on Mrs. Savage's likely dislike of him.

VI

Discusses Dan's Ornaby Addition with Martha, expressing skepticism and revealing Dan's status as a laughingstock. Shows a wistful desire for Martha's approval.

VII

Harlan is referenced as having sketched Dan's shabby appearance, which is noted as not exaggerated.

Chapter IX

Escorts Mrs. Savage into the reception, helping her walk.

Chapter XI

Described in Lena's letter as pompous, dry, affected, and a cold-hearted prig who reads heavy things.

XII

Visits his grandmother, defends Lena halfheartedly, and is told by Mrs. Savage that Martha will never marry him.

Chapter XIII

Returns home in the rain, converses with his mother about Dan's whereabouts, and is sent to Martha's house to retrieve Dan.

XIV

Arrives at the Shelby home to check on Martha, expresses annoyance at Dan's exuberance, and attempts to downplay the situation.

XVII

Named residuary legatee, inheriting most of the estate, but worries about how this will appear to Martha Shelby.

XVIII

Resists pressure to help Dan financially, maintaining his principles and feeling badgered by his parents' indirect appeals.

XIX

Discusses Dan's project with Martha, admits he still cares for her but feels she is 'stony' and unchanged.

XX

Debates the Renaissance with Martha, revealing his skepticism and his revived feelings for her.

XXI

Walks with Martha from church, discusses Lena's jealousy and Mrs. Savage's will, and reveals his own fears about Martha's feelings for Dan.

Chapter XXII

Martha's faithful escort, with whom she has fallen into a habitual relationship; he is present at the dinner and the social event, but Martha realizes he is not the center of her thoughts.

XXIII

Harlan drives with Martha, criticizing Dan's development and the ugliness of Ornaby Addition, while revealing his dry humor and skepticism.

Chapter XXIV

Criticizes Dan's destruction of National Avenue and the old neighborhood, aligning with Martha Shelby on the matter.

XXV

Mentioned as a rival to George for Martha's attention; Lena jokingly warns him that Martha still hopes Dan will be a widower.

Chapter XXVI

Proposes to Martha annually; argues with George McMillan about beauty and progress; invites Martha to the symphony concert.

Chapter XXVII

Escorts Martha to the concert, discusses Dan's situation, and hints at his long-standing romantic intentions toward Martha.

The End of Dan Oliphant

Reveals he helped Dan financially to avoid bankruptcy, driven by brotherly duty.

XXXI

Now a bank director, he drives with Martha and expresses disdain for the urban ugliness, though he appreciates the preserved woodland.