# Abner Brown — The Dewy Morn character guide > Abner Brown in The Dewy Morn by Richard Jefferies. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Abner, old Abner Brown, young Abner, old Abner, Ab, Old Abner Brown, poor old Abner **First appearance:** 0000-volume-i-i ## Snapshot An old cottager who remembers the Squire's grandfather and cannot understand why the present one will not speak to him face to face. ## Who they are Abner Brown goes to the Squire with a grievance and comes away muttering about grandsires and better men, his dignity wounded more by being passed off to a steward than by the original complaint. He is ungrateful to Felise, who drove him there and spoke for him, complaining afterward that she talked too much and spoiled his case. His petty, embittered old age gives the novel its ground-level view of poverty's long wear on character — and of how little the great houses actually see the people at their gates. ## Relationships ### [Felise Goring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/felise_goring) _psychological_ Abner Brown exerts a manipulative and obsessive influence over Felise, often acting as a sinister antagonist in her life. ### [Robert Godwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/robert_godwin) _rivalry_ Abner Brown and Robert Godwin are adversaries, with Abner often scheming against Robert and undermining his goals. ### [Mary Shaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/mary_shaw) _psychological_ Abner Brown manipulates and controls Mary Shaw, using her as a pawn in his schemes against others. ### [The Squire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/the_squire) _rivalry_ Abner Brown and The Squire are antagonists, competing for influence or opposing each other's interests. ### [Martial Barnard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/martial_barnard) _rivalry_ Abner Brown and Martial Barnard are enemies, with Abner frequently plotting against Martial. ### [Letitia Cornleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/letitia_cornleigh) _psychological_ Abner Brown manipulates Letitia Cornleigh, using her for his own ends and exerting psychological control. ### [Robert Godwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/robert_godwin) _rivalry_ Abner Brown and Robert Godwin are adversaries, with Abner often scheming against Robert and undermining his goals. ### [Letitia Cornleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/letitia_cornleigh) _psychological_ Abner Brown manipulates Letitia Cornleigh, using her for his own ends and exerting psychological control. ### [Felise Goring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/felise_goring) _psychological_ Abner Brown exerts a manipulative and obsessive influence over Felise, often acting as a sinister antagonist in her life. ### [The Squire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/the_squire) _rivalry_ Abner Brown and The Squire are antagonists, competing for influence or opposing each other's interests. ### [Martial Barnard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/martial_barnard) _rivalry_ Abner Brown and Martial Barnard are enemies, with Abner frequently plotting against Martial. ### [Letitia Cornleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/letitia_cornleigh) _psychological_ Abner Brown manipulates Letitia Cornleigh, using her for his own ends and exerting psychological control. ## In the story ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xv) Working in the garden with Mr. Goring. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xvii) Son of the elderly couple; works for Mr. Goring, which is a factor in the eviction notice. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xviii) Holds Ruy and informs Felise that Godwin came upon Barnard to acquire the horse. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xxiv) The old man whose cottage Felise tries to save; Godwin insists he must leave. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-ii) Assists Felise by delivering Ruy to the Manor House and whistling 'Wait for the Wagon' as a signal. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-iv) Abner is Mary Shaw's lover, meeting her secretly at the mill-pool rickyard. He is described as big, broad-chested, and loyal, and is hated by Robert Godwin for his relationship with Mary. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-v) Engaged to Mary Shaw; his parents face eviction, threatening the couple's future. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-vi) Old Abner accompanies Felise in the pony-carriage, recalling something he needed to tell her, and is her client in seeking the justice-room. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-vii) The ancient labourer, bewildered by the disappearance of landmarks he knew as a boy, such as the church, mill, and dove-cot. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xi) An aged labourer who confronts the Squire with blunt criticism and later complains about Felise's interference, illustrating ingratitude and the effects of long oppression. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xii) Felise raises the case of old Abner, who faces eviction to the workhouse, and asks Martial to intervene. ### [Miller Bond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xviii) Mentions as Mary's courting partner; leaves the rickyard with her before the accident. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxi) Imprisoned and grieving Mary Shaw's death; moved to tears by Felise's kindness in providing a proper burial. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxii) Given half-a-crown by Felise to buy beefsteak and ale. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxvi) Refuses Cornleigh's sovereign and picture; appears in the garden. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxvii) Accuses Godwin of causing Mary Shaw's death, helps subdue Godwin during the struggle, and shouts after him as he leaves. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/abner_brown - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters