The Hoosier Schoolmaster · Character

Miss Martha Hawkins

Squire Hawkins's high-minded niece, whose love for the awkward Bud Means collides with her uncle's terror for his new red barn.

supporting

Also known as Miss Hawkins, Miss Martha, Martha Hawkins, O Miss Hawkins, Martha

First appearance: XI: Miss Martha Hawkins

As a supporting figure in The Hoosier Schoolmaster, Miss Martha Hawkins is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Squire Hawkins's niece from Massachusetts, who frequently mentions her visit to Boston and shows kindness by visiting the Pearsons.

In the storyXI: Miss Martha HawkinsOpen this moment free

Martha would sacrifice anything rather than forsake the poor, and she loves Bud tenderly—partly because he reminds her of no one she knew back East. When the Squire, fearing for his haystacks and his galloping Indian vane, hints that his life is threatened, she believes her refusal of Bud is the price of her uncle's safety. Her husky 'No, I thank you' at the spelling-school breaks Bud's heart and sets the story's central misunderstanding in motion.

See Miss Martha Hawkins in XI: Miss Martha Hawkins Book page

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Character Web

25 connections

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

Relationship types

Romantic
Social
Other

Character groups

Main community characters
Protagonist

+20 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

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.

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Relationships

Bud Means
romantic · positive
Bud is smitten with Martha, and their interactions show a playful, earnest courtship… How this plays out →
Ralph Hartsook
social · ambivalent
Bud Means
romantic · positive
Bud is smitten with Martha, and their interactions show a playful, earnest courtship… How this plays out →
Ralph Hartsook
social · ambivalent
Ralph Hartsook
social · ambivalent
Bud Means
romantic · positive
Bud is smitten with Martha, and their interactions show a playful, earnest courtship… How this plays out →

Bud Means
Bud is smitten with Martha, and their interactions show a playful, earnest courtship despite social differences.
Ralph Hartsook
Martha and Ralph are acquaintances through the community, with Martha's family holding social standing.
Bud Means
Bud is smitten with Martha, and their interactions show a playful, earnest courtship despite social differences.
Ralph Hartsook
Martha and Ralph are acquaintances through the community, with Martha's family holding social standing.
Ralph Hartsook
Martha and Ralph are acquaintances through the community, with Martha's family holding social standing.
Bud Means
Bud is smitten with Martha, and their interactions show a playful, earnest courtship despite social differences.

Relationship notes

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

See Miss Martha Hawkins in XI: Miss Martha Hawkins

In the story

Miss Martha Hawkins appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XI: Miss Martha Hawkins
Squire Hawkins's niece from Massachusetts, who frequently mentions her visit to Boston and shows kindness by visiting the Pearsons.
The Hardshell Preacher
Rides behind Ralph to church and repeatedly compares the local customs and sights to her experiences 'at the East' in Boston.
XV: The Church of the Best Licks
Mentioned as having informed Shocky about the mob planning to tar and feather Mr. Pearson.
XVI: The Church Militant
Her support for the basket-maker influences Bud's championship.
A Council of War
Present at the council, anxious and looking to Bud for help.
Odds and Ends
Stays with Shocky and offers Bud a kind word that greatly encourages him.
XX: God Remembers Shocky
Has Shocky ready for the journey, having bundled him in shawls. She is moved by Shocky's faith and joins the conspiracy to help him escape.
Bud Wooing
Receives Bud graciously, tries to engage him in conversation.
A Letter and Its Consequences
Distinguishes herself at the spelling school but, believing her uncle's life is in danger, refuses Bud's escort, sacrificing her own happiness.
How It Came Out
Accepts Bud's proposal and agrees to help him run the poorhouse.
Endnotes
Mentioned as a character drawn from a real person, with a speech pattern noted as a literal transcript from a Massachusetts-born woman.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Miss Martha Hawkins unlock in the free preview.

See Miss Martha Hawkins in XI: Miss Martha Hawkins