# Mildred Palmer — Alice Adams character guide

> Mildred Palmer in Alice Adams by Booth Tarkington.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mildred, Miss Mildred Palmer, Mildred Palmer, Miss Palmer, Palmer

**First appearance:** 0004-v

## Who they are

The town's reigning young socialite, whose parties Alice longs to enter and whose interest in Arthur Russell makes her a quiet rival.

## Relationships

### [Alice Adams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/characters/alice_adams)

_rivalry_

Alice and Mildred are social rivals, competing for Arthur Russell's attention and status in their community.

### [Arthur Russell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/characters/arthur_russell)

_social_

Arthur and Mildred move in the same upper-class social circles, with Mildred pursuing Arthur romantically.

### [Walter Adams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/characters/walter_adams)

_social_

Mildred interacts with Walter primarily through her connection to Alice, viewing him with polite indifference.

### [Mrs. Adams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/characters/mrs_adams)

_social_

Mildred and Mrs. Adams maintain a polite but tense social relationship, with Mrs. Adams hoping to elevate her family through Alice's connection.

### [Alice Adams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/characters/alice_adams)

_rivalry_

Alice and Mildred are social rivals, competing for Arthur Russell's attention and status in their community.

### [Alice Adams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/characters/alice_adams)

_rivalry_

Alice and Mildred are social rivals, competing for Arthur Russell's attention and status in their community.

### [Walter Adams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/characters/walter_adams)

_social_

Mildred interacts with Walter primarily through her connection to Alice, viewing him with polite indifference.

### [Arthur Russell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/characters/arthur_russell)

_social_

Arthur and Mildred move in the same upper-class social circles, with Mildred pursuing Arthur romantically.

### [Mrs. Adams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/characters/mrs_adams)

_social_

Mildred and Mrs. Adams maintain a polite but tense social relationship, with Mrs. Adams hoping to elevate her family through Alice's connection.

### [Arthur Russell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/characters/arthur_russell)

_social_

Arthur and Mildred move in the same upper-class social circles, with Mildred pursuing Arthur romantically.

### [Mrs. Adams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/characters/mrs_adams)

_social_

Mildred and Mrs. Adams maintain a polite but tense social relationship, with Mrs. Adams hoping to elevate her family through Alice's connection.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/chapters/iii)

Mildred is Alice's friend; Alice visits her house and pauses at the gate to create the impression she lives there.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/chapters/iv)

Alice visits Mildred to ask what she will wear to the dance.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/chapters/vi)

Greets Alice at the dance but quickly passes her to Mrs. Palmer, causing Alice discomfort.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/chapters/vii)

Mentioned as the fortunate girl engaged to Arthur Russell, envied by Alice.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/chapters/viii)

Hostess of the dance; sends Arthur Russell to dance with Alice as a charitable gesture.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/chapters/ix)

Mildred appears in Alice's fantasy of a triumphant return as a famous actress, where Alice imagines a condescending dialogue with her.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/chapters/x)

Mildred is mentioned as Arthur Russell's cousin and the woman to whom he is presumably engaged. Alice discusses Mildred's reserved nature and her inability to confess to having had stage-fever.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/chapters/xi)

Mildred is referenced as a comparison for Alice's social standing and as someone Arthur Russell might prefer if Alice had more advantages.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/chapters/xx)

Discusses with her mother her suspicions that Arthur Russell is interested in Alice Adams, based on gossip.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/characters/mildred_palmer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/alice_adams_se/characters