# Miss Miggs — Barnaby Rudge character guide

> Miss Miggs in Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Miggs, Angelic Miggs, the faithful Miggs

**First appearance:** 0002-chapter-1

## Snapshot

A sour, scheming servant who worships Tappertit from afar and punishes his indifference with coal-dust and cunning.

## Who they are

Miggs keeps house for the Vardens and keeps score against everyone in it, especially pretty Dolly, whose face she cannot forgive. Professing contempt for all men, she is hopelessly fixated on the apprentice Tappertit, and when slighted she turns spy, saboteur, and self-appointed night watchman at the keyhole. Her spiteful ingenuity makes her a small but constant engine of mischief in the Varden household.

## Relationships

### [Simon Tappertit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/simon_tappertit)

_psychological_

Miggs is obsessively infatuated with Simon, who treats her with contempt and uses her for his own schemes.

### [Gabriel Varden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/gabriel_varden)

_professional_

Miggs is the Varden family's maid, and Gabriel is her employer, though she often complains and manipulates him.

### [Simon Tappertit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/simon_tappertit)

_psychological_

Miggs is obsessively infatuated with Simon, who treats her with contempt and uses her for his own schemes.

### [Gabriel Varden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/gabriel_varden)

_professional_

Miggs is the Varden family's maid, and Gabriel is her employer, though she often complains and manipulates him.

### [Simon Tappertit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/simon_tappertit)

_psychological_

Miggs is obsessively infatuated with Simon, who treats her with contempt and uses her for his own schemes.

### [Gabriel Varden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/gabriel_varden)

_professional_

Miggs is the Varden family's maid, and Gabriel is her employer, though she often complains and manipulates him.

## In the story

### [Chapter 7](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-7)

Acts as Mrs. Varden's ally, feigning concern and weeping on cue, while showing disdain for the male sex.

### [Chapter 9](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-9)

Spies on Simon, sabotages the lock, and feigns fainting to gain his confidence.

### [Chapter 13](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-13)

Present during the tea, she supports Mrs. Varden's complaints and adds her own commentary.

### [Chapter 22](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-22)

Relays the story of Dolly's rescue to Simon Tappertit, fueling his jealousy.

### [Chapter 36](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-36)

Listed as a contributor, noted as not well-favoured but conscientious.

### [Chapter 41](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-41)

Explodes in tears after overhearing Gabriel's joke, threatens to leave, and is later appeased with gifts.

### [Chapter 51](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-51)

Restless and fidgety, keeps everyone awake with her nervous habits, and is loyal to Mrs. Varden.

### [Chapter 63](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-63)

Hides on the rooftop, calls out to Simon, and is rescued from the house by the mob.

### [Chapter 70](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-70)

Feigning deafness, she conspires with Dennis to remove Dolly, motivated by jealousy and spite.

### [Chapter 71](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-71)

Also taken prisoner, Miggs claims she was captured because of her charms and details feats of resistance, providing some comfort to Emma and Dolly.

### [Chapter 80](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-80)

She becomes upset and decides to leave the household, feeling unappreciated.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/miss_miggs
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters