# Morten — Pelle the Conqueror character guide > Morten in Pelle the Conqueror by Martin Andersen Nexø. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Morten **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Who they are A solitary shoemaker-turned-writer who keeps Pelle honest, preferring to be his conscience rather than his applause. ## Relationships ### [Pelle the Conqueror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters/pelle_the_conqueror) _friendship_ Morten is Pelle's close friend and fellow worker, sharing in his struggles and aspirations. ### [Tommelilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters/tommelilla) _friendship_ Morten and Tommelilla share a friendly bond as part of Pelle's circle of companions. ### [Pelle the Conqueror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters/pelle_the_conqueror) _friendship_ Morten is Pelle's close friend and fellow worker, sharing in his struggles and aspirations. ### [Pelle the Conqueror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters/pelle_the_conqueror) _friendship_ Morten is Pelle's close friend and fellow worker, sharing in his struggles and aspirations. ### [Tommelilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters/tommelilla) _friendship_ Morten and Tommelilla share a friendly bond as part of Pelle's circle of companions. ### [Tommelilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters/tommelilla) _friendship_ Morten and Tommelilla share a friendly bond as part of Pelle's circle of companions. ## In the story ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/viii) Brother of Jens the apprentice; he bravely intervenes to defend Anker from the sailors, getting a bleeding face in the process. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/ix) Mentioned as not being at liberty; Pelle's comrade. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xii) Morten is Pelle's companion during the spring dances and walks, joining in the singing and festivities. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xiv) A friend to Pelle, part of the small circle of the disgraced, and a witness to Jörgensen's decline. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xv) Morten defends Pelle when the boys tease him about whip marks, and later runs into the water to try to save Pelle from drowning. ### [The Great Power Unleashed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xx) Morten stands with Jens at the harbor, observing the scene with shy, harassed glances. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxii) Visits Pelle but is ignored. ### [The Great Struggle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/book-iii-the-great-struggle) A fellow worker and ally in the struggle. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/ii) Morten works at a pastry cook's, lives in a turret-room with a panoramic view, and passionately discusses workers' rights and the need for collective action. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/iv) Engages Pelle in discussions about the workers' movement and socialism, challenging Pelle's understanding. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/vi) Morten attends meetings with Pelle and encourages him to read about the labor movement. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/viii) Morten is writing a poem and a story about the poor, and he and Pelle debate the worth of writing about ordinary people versus the rich. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xv) Morten argues with Stolpe about the labor movement, emphasizing individual consciousness and direct action. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xvi) Passionately argues with Pelle about the necessity of revolution; describes the wretched conditions of the poor in Copenhagen; expresses despair at the lack of uprising. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxi) Morten is portrayed as an independent thinker who inspires the poor through personal acts of kindness and encourages self-reliance, contrasting with Pelle's organizational approach. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxiii) Morten's earlier words about the sacredness of humanity echo in Pelle's mind as he witnesses the suffering of the poor. ### [The Lockout and the Leader's Burden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxx) Supervises relief distribution, cutting pork for families; disagrees with Pelle's severity, believing workers are 'not of age yet.' ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/iv) Pelle's friend, who has rescued a young girl named Johanna from a life of exploitation and is trying to care for her. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/ix) Morten is mentioned as calling the new generation 'the little man's children.' ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xii) Hosts Pelle and Peter, discusses revolution, and cares for Johanna. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xiii) Mentioned as a friend with whom Pelle enjoys parallel, unspoken understanding. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xiv) Morten moves in to be near Johanna, is devastated by her death, and questions the purpose of his writing. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xv) Receives a legacy and plans to travel to the South; expresses deep despair over the coldness of society and the suffering of the poor. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xix) Sends a letter from Sicily describing his travels along the north coast of Africa. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxiii) Announces his plan to write a book about Pelle, titled 'Pelle the Conqueror,' and discusses his creative struggles. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters/morten - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters