# The Schoolmaster — The Old Curiosity Shop character guide > The Schoolmaster in The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** schoolmaster, Mr. Marton **First appearance:** 0025-xxiii ## Snapshot A gentle village schoolmaster, solitary and kind, who shelters Nell and her grandfather and gives them the first kindness of their wanderings. ## Who they are He runs a small school in a quiet village, having lost the one young friend he had attached to himself, and now teaches children who forget him as they grow. His kindness to Nell and her grandfather is offered without calculation, and his loneliness gives the farewell a quiet ache. He matters because he is the first proof that the road holds goodness as well as danger, and his blessing follows them long after the village is out of sight. ## Relationships ### [Nell Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/nell_trent) _friendship_ The schoolmaster is a gentle, compassionate friend to Nell, offering her shelter and kindness during her journey. ### [Nell Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/nell_trent) _friendship_ The schoolmaster is a gentle, compassionate friend to Nell, offering her shelter and kindness during her journey. ### [Nell Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/nell_trent) _friendship_ The schoolmaster is a gentle, compassionate friend to Nell, offering her shelter and kindness during her journey. ## In the story ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxiv) A pale, kind, solitary man who offers Nell and her grandfather lodging; he is deeply worried about a favorite sick pupil. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxv) Hosts Nell and her grandfather; is deeply worried about his sick pupil; teaches with patience and grants a half-holiday despite parental criticism. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxvi) Bids a sorrowful farewell to Nell and her grandfather after the death of his grandchild, the little scholar. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxvi) Referred to as the single gentleman; he communicates only with Swiveller and is a desirable lodger. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xliv) Not present; no match in excerpts. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xlvi) Discovers Nell and her grandfather, carries her to an inn, and shares his new appointment; he offers them a new start. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xlvii) The schoolmaster is mentioned as the one Nell and her grandfather await at the old church porch. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lii) The schoolmaster arranges for Nell and her grandfather to become church-keepers, giving them the old house. He is cheerful and generous, choosing the smaller dwelling for himself. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/liii) The schoolmaster begins his labors at the schoolhouse; Nell hears the hum of voices and sees the boys disperse. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/liv) Sits reading on a grave in the churchyard; comforts Nell with a discussion about how the dead are remembered through good deeds; leaves when the church clock strikes the hour of school. ### [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lv) Brings books and reads aloud to Nell in the evenings. ### [LXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxx) The younger brother (schoolmaster) is anxious and insists on pressing forward to learn if they are too late. ### [LXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxxi) The schoolmaster brings a lamp and later speaks of Heaven's justice over Nell's body. ### [LXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxxii) Present at Nell's deathbed and helps care for the old man afterward. ### [LXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxxiii) The schoolmaster remains in his quiet village, content with his school and the churchyard, and is made a poor schoolmaster no more through the gratitude of the single gentleman. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/the_schoolmaster - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters