Barnaby Rudge · Character

Mrs. Varden

The locksmith's plump, pious, and maddeningly capricious wife, whose shifting moods keep her household permanently off balance.

supporting

Also known as Varden, Mrs. V.

First appearance: chapter 1

As a supporting figure in Barnaby Rudge, Mrs. Varden is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Though not present, her message demanding tea, toast, and the Protestant Manual indicates her ill temper and piety.

In the storyChapter 4: The Locksmith's HouseholdOpen this moment free

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Mrs. Varden is a lady of uncertain temper, cheerful when others are dull and peevish when they are merry, ruling her home through a fog of religious feeling and sudden grievance. Her chief victim and accomplice is the servant Miggs, on whom she vents her wrath and from whom she absorbs flattery. Her volatility turns the Varden household into a comic weather system, against which her steady husband's patience looks almost heroic.

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See Mrs. Varden in chapter 1

Character Web

7 connections

A slice of how Mrs. Varden sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Historical and Secondary Figures
Protagonist
Main Riot Participants

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional peak here is the collective dread and anticipation of an execution, as the city’s silence and th…

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In the story

Mrs. Varden appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter 4: The Locksmith's Household
Though not present, her message demanding tea, toast, and the Protestant Manual indicates her ill temper and piety.
Chapter 7
Shows her capricious temper, alternating between melancholy and indignation, and complains about her husband's neglect.
Chapter 13
Receives Joe coldly, complains about the Maypole and old Mr. Willet, and dismisses the flowers Joe brought, causing him further disappointment.
Chapter 19
Agrees to help Edward, then later feigns a fainting fit to get her way about going to Chigwell.
Chapter 21
Scolds Dolly for being late, lectures Hugh on morality, and enjoys the tea spread.
Chapter 22
Insists Joe turn back, then lectures her husband on his supposed failings.
Chapter 27
Charmed by Mr. Chester's conversation and agrees to a secret alliance with him to oppose Edward's suit to Miss Haredale.
Chapter 36
Mentioned as a zealous sister who contributes to the cause, despite her husband's refusal.
Chapter 41
Manipulates the situation to force Dolly to attend the Protestant Association meeting, using Miggs's outburst to her advantage.
Chapter 51
Sits up with Varden, hides the model house out of guilt, and is crestfallen after the night's events.
Chapter 72
Shown as an altered woman, adding her words of comfort to Dolly.
Chapter 80
She is initially upset by Miggs's behavior but later joins in the laughter and celebration.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Varden unlock in the free preview.

See Mrs. Varden in chapter 1

See Mrs. Varden in Chapter 4: The Locksmith's Household