# Robert Godwin — The Dewy Morn character guide > Robert Godwin in The Dewy Morn by Richard Jefferies. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Godwin, Godwin, Robert, old Godwin, Mr. Robert Godwin **First appearance:** 0000-volume-i-i ## Snapshot A steward of forty-nine who has loved Felise since she was a child, he carries his hopeless devotion like a second body through every field he walks. ## Who they are Godwin is the competent, upright man of business whose inner life has been entirely colonized by Felise — he works, rides, and signs cheques as a shell while his mind stays fixed on her. He knows with clear-eyed certainty that she is not for him, and yet he cannot stop seeing her, cannot stop measuring the gulf of years and temperament between them. His suppressed passion curdles into petty quarrels with Mr. Goring, making him the novel's most painful study of love that has nowhere to go. ## Relationships ### [Felise Goring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/felise_goring) _romantic_ Felise and Robert are entangled in a complex romantic relationship, with strong emotional bonds and underlying tension. ### [Martial Barnard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/martial_barnard) _rivalry_ Martial and Robert are fierce rivals, competing for Felise's affection and clashing over personal and ideological differences. ### [Abner Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/abner_brown) _rivalry_ Abner Brown and Robert Godwin are adversaries, with Abner often scheming against Robert and undermining his goals. ### [Mr. Goring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/mr_goring) _social_ Mr. Goring and Robert Godwin are acquaintances with a strained social dynamic, influenced by Mr. Goring's disapproval of Robert's relationship with Felise. ### [Ruy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/ruy) _friendship_ Robert and Ruy are allies and friends, often cooperating and sharing mutual respect despite their different roles. ### [Mary Shaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/mary_shaw) _friendship_ Mary Shaw and Robert Godwin are friends, with Mary often acting as a confidante and ally to Robert. ### [Felise Goring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/felise_goring) _romantic_ Felise and Robert are entangled in a complex romantic relationship, with strong emotional bonds and underlying tension. ### [Abner Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/abner_brown) _rivalry_ Abner Brown and Robert Godwin are adversaries, with Abner often scheming against Robert and undermining his goals. ### [Martial Barnard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/martial_barnard) _rivalry_ Martial and Robert are fierce rivals, competing for Felise's affection and clashing over personal and ideological differences. ### [Mr. Goring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/mr_goring) _social_ Mr. Goring and Robert Godwin are acquaintances with a strained social dynamic, influenced by Mr. Goring's disapproval of Robert's relationship with Felise. ### [Martial Barnard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/martial_barnard) _rivalry_ Martial and Robert are fierce rivals, competing for Felise's affection and clashing over personal and ideological differences. ### [Felise Goring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/felise_goring) _romantic_ Felise and Robert are entangled in a complex romantic relationship, with strong emotional bonds and underlying tension. ## In the story ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xii) Mentioned as the agent who reported that Barnard's rent is in arrears. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xvii) The hard land steward who ordered the elderly couple to leave their cottage; described as a flint and a harsh enforcer of the feudal custom. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xviii) Argues with Mr. Goring about fishing rights, reveals he bought Ruy from Barnard, and invites Felise to visit. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xix) Portrayed as a man utterly without imagination, who sees only the practical, monetary value of everything—hills, trees, the sea. He is a ruthless steward, enforcing 'Pay or go,' enclosing common land, blocking paths, and driving tenants and labourers without mercy, earning universal hatred. ### [The Works of Robert Godwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xx) Portrayed as a man of action rather than feeling, lacking imagination, utterly isolated, and driven by habit and work. He spends the night doing chores and sorting attic lumber, unable to rest. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xxi) The chapter focuses on Godwin's inner life, his obsessive love for Felise, and his inability to express or act on his feelings. He is portrayed as a man consumed by a single idea, living in a dreamlike state. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xxii) Godwin watches Felise ride her pony through his wheat without interfering, the only human he does not drive away. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xxiii) His obsessive, suppressed love for Felise drives him to oppose her and her uncle; he encloses the spring and is overwhelmed by her nearness. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xxiv) Refuses Felise's request to let Abner Brown stay in his cottage, sells Ruy to her for seventy pounds, and later regrets not asking for more. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xxv) Mentioned as the Squire's agent who desires Goring's land; Felise fears he might buy Ruy before she can pay. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-ii) Sells Ruy to Felise; his face darkens when he learns Abner is waiting outside. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-iv) Godwin is revealed as a vengeful miser who once made a dishonorable proposal to Mary Shaw and was rejected. He now spies on her and Abner, and schemes to have Mary's parents evicted to ruin her prospects. He is described as having no redeeming traits. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-v) Mentioned as having already refused Felise's request for help. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-viii) Robert Godwin is mentioned as the Squire's steward, one of those who tells the Squire what to do. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-ix) Mentioned as having control over the borough of Maasbury, ensuring Cornleigh's return to Parliament. ### [The Ballot Act and the House of Cornleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-x) Robert Godwin is mentioned as a family solicitor who reassures Letitia but also as a figure whose power to harass voters is curtailed by the Ballot Act. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xi) Referenced as the steward to whom the Squire defers all decisions, reinforcing the theme of absentee authority. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xii) His garden is the setting; he is mentioned as being absent, and Martial notes he is taking a long time. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xiii) Godwin emerges from the house to interrupt the conversation, dismissing Martial for the evening and arranging his next visit. He is implied to have orchestrated these meetings. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xiv) Obsessively watches Felise and Martial; realizes Felise bought Ruy for Martial; abandons writing; struggles with jealousy and despair. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xv) Consumed by jealousy, he spies on Felise and Martial, tortures himself with their happiness, and prepares pistols. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xx) Confronts Mr. Goring with accusations against Martial, including jilting Rosa Wood and wasting money, but is rebuffed. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxii) On the platform at the meeting. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxiii) On the platform, fixes his gaze on Martial with a fish-like stare, similar to Rosa's stare at Felise. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxiv) Attempts to seize Martial during the speech but is held back by Cornleigh's solicitor. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxv) Ambushes and binds Felise, intending to have Ruy trample her; flees after Martial shoots the horse. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxvi) Bursts into the Gorings' home in a frenzied state, pursued by the constable. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxvii) In a mad fury, bursts into the Goring home demanding Martial's arrest, accuses him of attempted murder, and is subdued by several men after striking Felise. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxviii) Returns to the chestnut tree, executes his suicide after a failed first attempt. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxix) Commits suicide after a period of insanity, reflecting on his nine-year obsession with Felise and his materialistic worldview. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/robert_godwin - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters