# Mrs. Varden — Barnaby Rudge character guide

> Mrs. Varden in Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Varden, Mrs. V.

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

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## In the story

### [Chapter 4: The Locksmith's Household](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-4)

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

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

Shows her capricious temper, alternating between melancholy and indignation, and complains about her husband's neglect.

### [Chapter 13](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-19)

Agrees to help Edward, then later feigns a fainting fit to get her way about going to Chigwell.

### [Chapter 21](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-21)

Scolds Dolly for being late, lectures Hugh on morality, and enjoys the tea spread.

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

Insists Joe turn back, then lectures her husband on his supposed failings.

### [Chapter 27](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-36)

Mentioned as a zealous sister who contributes to the cause, despite her husband's refusal.

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

Manipulates the situation to force Dolly to attend the Protestant Association meeting, using Miggs's outburst to her advantage.

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

Sits up with Varden, hides the model house out of guilt, and is crestfallen after the night's events.

### [Chapter 72](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-72)

Shown as an altered woman, adding her words of comfort to Dolly.

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

She is initially upset by Miggs's behavior but later joins in the laughter and celebration.

## Links

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