# A Letter and Its Consequences explained — The Hoosier Schoolmaster

> Chapter companion for The Hoosier Schoolmaster by Edward Eggleston.

## What happens

An anonymous threatening letter warns Squire Hawkins about his family's association with suspected robbers, endangering his barn and haystacks. To protect his property, the Squire pressures his niece Martha to distance herself from Bud Means. At the spelling school, Bud attempts to escort Martha home, but she refuses, breaking his heart and leaving him feeling hopeless and resigned to his status as a Flat Cricker.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Mobility

Bud's despair reflects the rigid class boundaries between Flat Crickers and those considered above them, as he feels he can never rise above his origins.

### Love and Marriage

Martha's refusal of Bud's escort, driven by family pressure, highlights the conflict between personal affection and familial duty.

### Morality and Justice

The threatening letter and the Squire's reaction reveal a skewed sense of justice, where property is valued over human relationships and moral principles.

## Character check-ins

### Squar Haukins

Receives an anonymous threatening letter and, fearing for his barn and haystacks, pressures his niece Martha to reject Bud.

### Bud Means

Spells poorly at the spelling school, attempts to escort Martha home, and is devastated by her refusal.

### Miss Martha Hawkins

Distinguishes herself at the spelling school but, believing her uncle's life is in danger, refuses Bud's escort, sacrificing her own happiness.

### Pete Jones

Implied to be behind the threatening letter and takes revenge on Bud through the letter's consequences.

## Key lines

> Squar Haukins this is too Lett u no that u beter be Keerful hoo yoo an yore familly tacks cides with fer peepl wont Stan it too hev the Men wat's sportin the wuns wat's robin us, sported bi yor Fokes kepin kumpne with 'em, u been a ossifer ov the Lau, yor Ha wil bern as qick as to an yor Barn tu. so Tak kere.

Squire Hawkins, this is to let you know that you better be careful who you and your family take sides with, because people won't stand for having the men who are protecting the robbers be supported by your folks keeping company with them. You have been an officer of the law, and your hay will burn as quick as your barn too. So take care.

_The anonymous letter threatens the Squire's property to pressure him into controlling his niece's relationship with Bud._

> ef you don't resk nothin' you'll never git nothin'.

If you don't risk nothing, you'll never get nothing.

_Bud's internal motto as he gathers courage to ask Martha to escort her home._

> Might a knowed it. Of course, a smart gal like Martha a'n't a-goin' to take a big, blunderin' fool that can't spell in two syllables. What's the use of tryin'? A Flat Cricker is a Flat Cricker. You can't make nothin' else of him, no more nor you can make a Chiny hog into a Berkshire.

I might have known it. Of course, a smart girl like Martha isn't going to take a big, blundering fool that can't spell in two syllables. What's the use of trying? A Flat Cricker is a Flat Cricker. You can't make anything else of him, any more than you can make a China hog into a Berkshire.

_Bud's resignation and self-deprecation after Martha's refusal, reflecting his belief in the immutability of social class._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xxvi-a-letter-and-its-consequences
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters