The Hoosier Schoolmaster · Chapter
Bud Wooing explained
On a Sunday, Bud Means, despite his crippled arm and bashful nature, visits Miss Martha Hawkins at Squire Hawkins's house.
What happens
On a Sunday, Bud Means, despite his crippled arm and bashful nature, visits Miss Martha Hawkins at Squire Hawkins's house. He is deeply in love with her but feels unworthy and awkward. His attempts to declare his love fail, and he ends up inviting her to a spelling-school instead.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because it forces the central conflict to a head: the anonymous threat against Squ…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Love and Marriage
Bud's deep but inarticulate love for Martha, and his inability to express it, highlights the challenges of courtship.
Characters to notice
- Bud Means
Visits Miss Martha, struggles with bashfulness and self-consciousness.
- Miss Martha Hawkins
Receives Bud graciously, tries to engage him in conversation.
Key passages
“He had long adored Miss Martha in his secret heart, but, like many other giants, while brave enough to face and fight dragons, he was a coward in the presence of the woman that he loved.”
Bud had secretly loved Martha for a long time, but despite his physical bravery, he felt timid and fearful when near her.
Illustrates Bud's internal conflict between his courage and his bashfulness in love.
