Plum Bun · Character

Martha Burden

A sharp-tongued boarding house owner in New York.

minor

Also known as the slate-eyed Martha Burden, old Martha

First appearance: I

Martha Burden's tie to Angela Murray is one of the pressures that moves Plum Bun—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Martha Burden hosts a gathering of intellectuals and artists in her Village apartment, where Angela meets Roger Fielding.

In the storyIIIOpen this moment free

See Martha Burden in III Book page

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With Angela Murray (friendship): A fellow artist and supportive friend in Angela's social circle. With Angela Murray (friendship): A fellow artist and supportive friend in Angela's social circle. With Angela Murray…

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The fuller portrait of Martha Burden sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Martha Burden in I

Character Web

20 connections

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

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Angela's New York Circle
Extended Cast and Background
Protagonist

+15 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because Angela experiences a profound emotional and psychological rever…

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Relationships

Angela Murray
friendship · positive
A fellow artist and supportive friend in Angela's social circle. How this plays out →
Angela Murray
friendship · positive
A fellow artist and supportive friend in Angela's social circle. How this plays out →
Angela Murray
friendship · positive
A fellow artist and supportive friend in Angela's social circle. How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Martha Burden in I

In the story

Martha Burden appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

III
Martha Burden hosts a gathering of intellectuals and artists in her Village apartment, where Angela meets Roger Fielding.
V
Martha Burden's advice on how to make Roger want Angela influences Angela's strategic behavior in her relationship with Roger.
II
Martha is discussed as a tense, brooding personality who lives with Starr before marriage due to her unconventional beliefs. Roger forced Starr to marry her, and she struggles with the loss of spontaneity in a bound relationship.
III
Martha is another of Angela's advisors, a woman of independent thought. Angela has begun to adopt her slightly professional, didactic attitude.
IV
Martha hosts a party that Angela and Roger attend; she is described as stable but reserved and conservative in friendship.
I
A friend of Angela's, too absorbed in her own life to be a close confidante.
I
Organizes the committee to fight for Miss Powell; expresses frustration at Miss Powell's withdrawal.
II
Drives Angela to the dock with Ladislas Starr.

Chapter companion notes

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See Martha Burden in I

See Martha Burden in III