# Harlan Oliphant — National Avenue character guide > Harlan Oliphant in National Avenue by Booth Tarkington. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Oliphant, the studious Harlan, the sardonic Harlan **First appearance:** 0001-national-avenue ## Who they are Dan's elder brother, all precision and irony, whose cool intelligence and social polish make him both a foil and a quiet reproach to the family's strivers. ## Relationships ### [Dan Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/dan_oliphant) _family_ Dan and Harlan are brothers, bound by blood but often strained by rivalry and differing loyalties. ### [Martha Shelby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/martha_shelby) _romantic_ Harlan and Martha are entangled in a passionate but destructive romantic affair. ### [Mrs. Savage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/mrs_savage) _professional_ Harlan is also employed by Mrs. Savage, sharing a tense and exploitative professional relationship. ### [Lena McMillan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/lena_mcmillan) _psychological_ Harlan is obsessively fixated on Lena, viewing her as a prize to be won from his brother Dan. ### [Grandma Savage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/grandma_savage) _family_ Grandma Savage is Harlan's grandmother, but their relationship is strained by his manipulative nature. ### [George McMillan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/george_mcmillan) _rivalry_ George and Harlan are antagonists, often clashing over Lena and local power dynamics. ### [Dan Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/dan_oliphant) _family_ Dan and Harlan are brothers, bound by blood but often strained by rivalry and differing loyalties. ### [Martha Shelby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/martha_shelby) _romantic_ Harlan and Martha are entangled in a passionate but destructive romantic affair. ### [Martha Shelby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/martha_shelby) _romantic_ Harlan and Martha are entangled in a passionate but destructive romantic affair. ### [Dan Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/dan_oliphant) _family_ Dan and Harlan are brothers, bound by blood but often strained by rivalry and differing loyalties. ### [Mrs. Savage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/mrs_savage) _professional_ Harlan is also employed by Mrs. Savage, sharing a tense and exploitative professional relationship. ### [Lena McMillan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/lena_mcmillan) _psychological_ Harlan is obsessively fixated on Lena, viewing her as a prize to be won from his brother Dan. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/i) The fastidious, aristocratic younger brother who keeps immaculate and disapproves of Dan's activities. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/ii) Dan's brother, mentioned as having a different accent and being more reserved. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as Dan's brother who finds the city 'squalid' upon returning. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/v) Sardonic and observant during Dan's announcement, comments on Mrs. Savage's likely dislike of him. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/vii) Harlan is referenced as having sketched Dan's shabby appearance, which is noted as not exaggerated. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/ix) Escorts Mrs. Savage into the reception, helping her walk. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xi) Described in Lena's letter as pompous, dry, affected, and a cold-hearted prig who reads heavy things. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xii) Visits his grandmother, defends Lena halfheartedly, and is told by Mrs. Savage that Martha will never marry him. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xiv) Arrives at the Shelby home to check on Martha, expresses annoyance at Dan's exuberance, and attempts to downplay the situation. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xvii) Named residuary legatee, inheriting most of the estate, but worries about how this will appear to Martha Shelby. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xviii) Resists pressure to help Dan financially, maintaining his principles and feeling badgered by his parents' indirect appeals. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xix) Discusses Dan's project with Martha, admits he still cares for her but feels she is 'stony' and unchanged. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xx) Debates the Renaissance with Martha, revealing his skepticism and his revived feelings for her. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xxiii) Harlan drives with Martha, criticizing Dan's development and the ugliness of Ornaby Addition, while revealing his dry humor and skepticism. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xxiv) Criticizes Dan's destruction of National Avenue and the old neighborhood, aligning with Martha Shelby on the matter. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xxvi) Proposes to Martha annually; argues with George McMillan about beauty and progress; invites Martha to the symphony concert. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xxx) Reveals he helped Dan financially to avoid bankruptcy, driven by brotherly duty. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xxxi) Now a bank director, he drives with Martha and expresses disdain for the urban ugliness, though he appreciates the preserved woodland. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/harlan_oliphant - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters