Robert Martin is a character in Jane Austen's Emma. He is a farmer whose family rents land from George Knightley, the owner of Donwell Abbey.[1] His birthday is June 8th, and he is 24 at the beginning of the novel.
Character traits[]
Mr. Martin is not considered handsome, Harriet Smith at first thought him quite plain. Later, she changed her mind as she was charmed by his personality and genuine friendliness.
He was not a huge reader before meeting Harriet. Harriet says that he reads agricultural reports and had read The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith. Mr. Martin also likes her well enough to listen intently when Harriet talks of books and literature and read parts of a book called Elegant Extracts to her when she was staying at his family's farm. He also promises to read a few of the titles that she had listed to him like The Romance of the Forest and The Children of the Abbey.[1]
Although Mr. Martin is considered quite plain, his appearance is very neat. He is also considered to be a very sensible man by most of his acquaintances, including by Emma herself. Mr Knightley holds Robert Martin in high regard despite him being his tenant farmer, and the two have a friendly relationship with Mr Martin seeking advice from/sharing his sorrows regarding Harriet with Mr Knightley. However, Emma believes that she can find someone of a better education for Harriet so she is naturally prejudiced when she comments on some of Mr. Martin's character traits, like his lack of manners. Emma believes that if she introduces Harriet to other gentlemen, Harriet would lose her interest in Mr. Martin. The ideal gentleman Emma has in mind turns out to be Highbury's single vicar, Mr. Elton.[1] Mr Knightley defends Mr Martin in this instance.