# Mrs. March — A Hazard of New Fortunes character guide > Mrs. March in A Hazard of New Fortunes by William Dean Howells. **Role:** major **Also known as:** March, Isabel, Bella **First appearance:** 0001-a-hazard-of-new-fortunes ## Snapshot Basil March's practical, observant wife, who reads people and situations with a matronly clarity her husband often lacks. ## Who they are Isabel March presides over the family's refined household and its move to New York with a mixture of wifely loyalty and unillusioned judgment. She takes Fulkerson's side against her husband's scruples, dismisses the notion of an artistic career for a woman, and quietly steadies the family through each new upheaval. Her running commentary — affectionate, skeptical, sometimes startlingly conventional — gives the novel its domestic counterweight to the magazine's public dramas. ## In the story ### [Bibliographical](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/bibliographical) Along with March, she is a familiar character from earlier works, adapted here to a more mature phase of life. ### [Part First](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/a-hazard-of-new-fortunes) Basil's wife, who is both excited and anxious about the move to New York and the new venture. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-first-ii) Isabel March eagerly encourages her husband to accept Fulkerson's offer, seeing it as a providential opportunity to leave his insurance job. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-first-ii) Bella, the Marches' fourteen-year-old daughter, greets her father exuberantly at the door and chatters at dinner. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-first-iii) Isabel is enthusiastic about the magazine idea until she learns it would require moving to New York. She expresses strong disapproval of New York and emphasizes her attachment to Boston and the children's activities. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-first-iv) Initially opposes the move to New York due to fear and provincialism, but later resolves to support her husband's literary aspirations. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-first-v) Initially resistant to moving, she reconciles with March and becomes eager to go to New York; questions Fulkerson about housing and children's education. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-first-vi) Remains dauntless and practical during the move, but becomes gloomy on the train; she insists on finding a flat with a light kitchen and sunny bedroom for Margaret. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-first-vii) Leads the apartment search, expresses disappointment with Fulkerson's earlier suggestions, and later appreciates his help. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-first-viii) Mrs. March is determined but weary, clinging to her ideal of a flat while being overwhelmed by the city's pace and the search's demands. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-first-ix) Remains particular about housing requirements, is disgusted by the tenement street, and proposes looking at houses after her husband's critique. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-first-x) Returns to Boston, leaving Basil with instructions for the apartment search; expresses frustration with the city's ugliness and poverty. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-first-xii) Mentioned as not yet having come down; March considers her wishes regarding social visits. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-viii) Accompanies her husband to the Dryfoos home, engages in conversation with Mrs. Mandel, and expresses caution about March's reconnection with Lindau. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-ix) Accompanies March, comments on Beaton's conceit, and listens to Fulkerson's story about Mrs. Mandel. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-xiii) Considered by Fulkerson for a tea to promote the magazine; March is surprised she would be willing. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-xiv) Shares her husband's anxiety but quickly shifts to exultation and planning how to spend future profits. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-third-ii) Encourages March not to be discouraged by Dryfoos and vows to renounce him if he compromises his integrity. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-third-ix) Worries that Basil's attentions to Mela are driven by self-interest related to Every Other Week. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-i) Disturbed by Lindau's critiques of American inequality and justice; worries about the effect on her children and her husband's involvement. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-ii) Accompanies her husband on walks and dining adventures, sharing his curiosity and occasional moral qualms about their new life. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-iii) Takes children to Boston but feels alienated; returns to New York finding comfort in its 'shapeless tumult.' ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-v) Criticizes Fulkerson's decision to invite Lindau and expresses distrust in March's ability to handle the situation. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-viii) Supports her husband's moral stance, though she feels the strain of uncertainty about their future. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-iii) Mentioned as enforcing safety precautions to keep March away from crowds. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-vi) Shares in the cares of the night; feels proud of her husband's role and rebukes him for his remarks. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-vii) Mrs. March emphasizes her husband's magnanimity and expresses her distress over the violent events, while showing impatience with Lindau. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-viii) Mrs. March visits the Dryfoos family, observes their grief, and engages in a philosophical discussion with March about greed, poverty, and social conditions. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-xi) Mrs. March expresses her belief in a moral government of the universe and questions Margaret Vance's motives for charitable work. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-xvi) Discusses Beaton's rejection with her husband and takes Fulkerson's view that Alma should have married him. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-xviii) Pities Dryfoos but notes his incomplete regeneration; observes Christine's behavior; reflects on Margaret Vance. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/characters/mrs_march - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/characters