# Bud Means — The Hoosier Schoolmaster character guide > Bud Means in The Hoosier Schoolmaster by Edward Eggleston. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Bud, young Means, Means **First appearance:** 0003-i-a-private-lesson-from-a-bulldog ## Snapshot The brawny ringleader of Flat Creek's schoolhouse rebels, who plots to break the new master but finds himself disarmed by Ralph's unexpected fairness. ## Who they are Bud leads the boys' siege of the schoolhouse with a martyr's resignation, betting a thousand dollars that Hartsook will somehow get in and tan their hides. Rough, contemptuous of cowards like Hank Banta, he nonetheless nurses a tender spot for Martha Hawkins and a fierce sense of what is right. His grudging respect for Ralph—born of the master's willingness to give up Hannah rather than wrong a Flat Cricker—turns the district's strongest arm into its most valuable ally. ## Relationships ### [Ralph Hartsook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters/ralph_hartsook) _friendship_ Bud, initially a rough local, becomes Ralph's loyal ally and protector, helping him navigate the school and community. ### [Miss Martha Hawkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters/miss_martha_hawkins) _romantic_ Bud is smitten with Martha, and their interactions show a playful, earnest courtship despite social differences. ### [Hannah Thomson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters/hannah_thomson) _friendship_ Bud and Hannah share a respectful, protective friendship, with Bud often looking out for her well-being. ### [Shocky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters/shocky) _friendship_ Bud shows a soft spot for Shocky, treating him with kindness and protecting him from harm. ### [Pete Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters/pete_jones) _rivalry_ Bud and Pete clash over local influence and loyalty, with Bud often opposing Pete's malicious schemes. ### [Walter Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters/walter_johnson) _friendship_ Bud and Walter share a camaraderie, often working together or supporting each other in community matters. ### [Dr. Small](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters/dr_small) _social_ Bud and Dr. Small have a respectful but distant social relationship, with Dr. Small's status above Bud's. ### [Squire Hawkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters/squire_hawkins) _social_ Bud and Squire Hawkins interact as community members, with Bud showing deference to the squire's position. ### [Ralph Hartsook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters/ralph_hartsook) _friendship_ Bud, initially a rough local, becomes Ralph's loyal ally and protector, helping him navigate the school and community. ### [Hannah Thomson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters/hannah_thomson) _friendship_ Bud and Hannah share a respectful, protective friendship, with Bud often looking out for her well-being. ### [Ralph Hartsook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters/ralph_hartsook) _friendship_ Bud, initially a rough local, becomes Ralph's loyal ally and protector, helping him navigate the school and community. ### [Shocky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters/shocky) _friendship_ Bud shows a soft spot for Shocky, treating him with kindness and protecting him from harm. ## In the story ### [The Hoosier Schoolmaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/the-hoosier-schoolmaster) The eldest son of the Means family, who is away at the time of Ralph's arrival but is discussed as the 'bully' of the district and the primary challenge to the new schoolmaster's authority. ### [I: A Private Lesson from a Bulldog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/i-a-private-lesson-from-a-bulldog) The older son of Jack Means, a large and intimidating figure who Ralph identifies as his first strategic point to capture. ### [A Spell Coming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/ii-a-spell-coming) Observes Ralph's character, noting his 'thunder and lightning' despite lacking physical strength. ### [III: Mirandy, Hank, and Shocky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/iii-mirandy-hank-and-shocky) Observes Ralph's handling of the situation and compliments his cleverness, showing respect for his brains. ### [V: The Walk Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/v-the-walk-home) Defends Hannah against his mother's accusations, diverting her anger to allow Hannah to escape. ### [VIII: The Struggle in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/viii-the-struggle-in-the-dark) Ralph's rival for Hannah; Ralph considers Bud's claim to her as his only joy. ### [XI: Miss Martha Hawkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xi-miss-martha-hawkins) Rides by on a bay mare leading a roan colt, returning from the mill, but appears angry and only gives a surly nod. ### [A Struggle for the Mastery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xiii-a-struggle-for-the-mastery) Reluctantly participates in the barring-out but respects Ralph's cunning and predicts his victory. ### [A Crisis with Bud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xiv-a-crisis-with-bud) Confronts Ralph, believing he is courting Hannah, but reconciles after a misunderstanding. ### [XV: The Church of the Best Licks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xv-the-church-of-the-best-licks) Confesses his desire to reform and seeks spiritual guidance from Ralph, leading to his decision to 'put in his best licks for Jesus Christ.' ### [XVI: The Church Militant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xvi-the-church-militant) Fights Pete Jones to protect Shocky and defend John Pearson, sustaining an arm injury. ### [A Council of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xvii-a-council-of-war) Injured with a broken arm, but devises the escape plan for Pearson. ### [Odds and Ends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xviii-odds-and-ends) Sends for Ralph, offers his roan colt, and endures family criticism while recovering from a broken arm. ### [XX: God Remembers Shocky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xx-god-remembers-shocky) Despite his broken arm, Bud prepares the roan colt for Ralph and expresses his own growth and faith, wishing he could do more to help. ### [Bud Wooing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xxv-bud-wooing) Visits Miss Martha, struggles with bashfulness and self-consciousness. ### [A Letter and Its Consequences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xxvi-a-letter-and-its-consequences) Spells poorly at the spelling school, attempts to escort Martha home, and is devastated by her refusal. ### [A Loss and a Gain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xxvii-a-loss-and-a-gain) Quits school, avoids Ralph, and becomes intimate with Walter Johnson under Dr. Small's influence. ### [The Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xxviii-the-flight) Writes a warning note to Ralph, advising him to run for his life. ### [The Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xxix-the-trial) Arrives late, talking to Walter Johnson near the door. ### [XXX: “Brother Sodom”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xxx-brother-sodom) Deliberately exposes Walter to Soden's preaching to extract his secrets; remains cool and manipulative. ### [XXXI: The Trial Concluded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xxxi-the-trial-concluded) Acts as a detective, maintaining apparent hostility to save Ralph. He pressures Walter Johnson to tell the truth. ### [XXXII: After the Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xxxii-after-the-battle) Bids Hannah goodbye with emotion, having been a true friend. ### [Into the Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xxxiii-into-the-light) Ralph tries to help Bud court Martha, but Bud remains tongue-tied. ### [How It Came Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xxxiv-how-it-came-out) Proposes to Martha Hawkins and seeks Ralph's advice on how to make a living and serve God. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters/bud_means - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters