# Medora Phillips — Bertram Cope’s Year character guide > Medora Phillips in Bertram Cope’s Year by Henry Blake Fuller. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Medora Townsend Phillips, Mrs. Phillips, Aunt Medora **First appearance:** 0000-i-cope-at-a-college-tea ## Snapshot A lively, matchmaking widow who stages elaborate dinners to show Cope off and cannot forgive his failure to perform. ## Who they are Medora arranges flowers, lights, wine, and an accompanist, confident that her choicest circle will find Cope as charming as she does. When he makes less impression than she hoped, she blames the granddaughter, the town, and finally the guests, nursing a grievance that hardens into rivalry with Basil Randolph. Her house is the novel's social engine, and her need to control the impression Cope makes exposes how much of hospitality is really about the hostess. ## Relationships ### [Bertram Cope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/bertram_cope) _psychological_ Medora Phillips exerts a possessive, manipulative influence over Bertram Cope, treating him as a social protégé and object of fascination. ### [Basil Randolph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/basil_randolph) _rivalry_ Basil Randolph and Medora Phillips compete for influence over and access to Bertram Cope. ### [Hortense Dunton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/hortense_dunton) _social_ Hortense Dunton and Medora Phillips move in the same social circles, with Phillips acting as a hostess and matchmaker. ### [Carolyn Thorpe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/carolyn_thorpe) _social_ Carolyn Thorpe is a guest and social acquaintance of Medora Phillips, often participating in her gatherings. ### [Amy Leffingwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/amy_leffingwell) _social_ Amy Leffingwell is a frequent visitor in Medora Phillips' social circle, though their relationship is polite rather than intimate. ### [Arthur Lemoyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/arthur_lemoyne) _social_ Arthur Lemoyne is a peripheral member of Medora Phillips' social circle, tolerated but not central. ### [Joe Foster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/joe_foster) _social_ Joe Foster is a social acquaintance of Medora Phillips, often included in her parties and events. ### [Bertram Cope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/bertram_cope) _psychological_ Medora Phillips exerts a possessive, manipulative influence over Bertram Cope, treating him as a social protégé and object of fascination. ### [Basil Randolph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/basil_randolph) _rivalry_ Basil Randolph and Medora Phillips compete for influence over and access to Bertram Cope. ### [Bertram Cope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/bertram_cope) _psychological_ Medora Phillips exerts a possessive, manipulative influence over Bertram Cope, treating him as a social protégé and object of fascination. ### [Joe Foster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/joe_foster) _social_ Joe Foster is a social acquaintance of Medora Phillips, often included in her parties and events. ### [Amy Leffingwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/amy_leffingwell) _social_ Amy Leffingwell is a frequent visitor in Medora Phillips' social circle, though their relationship is polite rather than intimate. ## In the story ### [I: Cope at a College Tea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/i-cope-at-a-college-tea) A confident, middle-aged woman who dominates the social scene, treating Cope with patronizing familiarity and a hint of flirtatious interest. ### [II: Cope Makes a Sunday Afternoon Call](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/ii-cope-makes-a-sunday-afternoon-call) Hosts Cope alone; describes her house and its purpose of entertainment; quizzes Cope about his work and the young women; shows both warmth and a testing attitude. ### [III: Cope Is "Entertained"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/iii-cope-is-entertained) The hostess who orchestrates the entertainment, introduces the girls' talents, and later chides Cope for not helping or engaging. ### [IV: Cope Is Considered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/iv-cope-is-considered) Discusses Cope with Randolph, describing him as charming but self-assured and cool. ### [V: Cope Is Considered Further](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/v-cope-is-considered-further) Plans a young people's dinner and invites Randolph, expecting Cope to attend. ### [VI: Cope Dines—and Tells About It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/vi-cope-dines-and-tells-about-it) Hostess of the dinner; a rich widow of forty-odd, vivacious and active. ### [Cope Undertakes an Excursion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/viii-cope-undertakes-an-excursion) Invites Randolph to the sandhill bungalow and insists he bring Cope; discusses the excursion and her enthusiasm for the dunes. ### [X: Cope at His House Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/x-cope-at-his-house-party) Mrs. Phillips hosts the house party, guides Cope on the walk, points out natural features, and names the trees 'Pelleas and Melisande' after Cope's suggestion. ### [XI: Cope Enlivens the Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xi-cope-enlivens-the-country) Hosts the outing, encourages Cope to sing, and arranges moonlit walks. ### [XIII: Cope Dines Again—and Stays After](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xiii-cope-dines-again-and-stays-after) Hosts the formal dinner, hoping to showcase Cope to her high-society friends, and is concerned when he collapses. ### [Cope Makes an Evasion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xiv-cope-makes-an-evasion) Mentioned as having told Foster about the fainting episode and as being out strolling. ### [XV: Cope Entertains Several Ladies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xv-cope-entertains-several-ladies) Visits Cope with Amy, meets Aunt Harriet, invites Cope and his friend to dine. ### [XVI: Cope Goes A-Sailing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xvi-cope-goes-a-sailing) Arrives by car with Helga and dry clothes for Amy after the accident; she is inclined to make the most of the occasion and questions Cope about his health. ### [XVII: Cope Among Crosscurrents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xvii-cope-among-crosscurrents) Concedes the foolishness of the sailing trip, calls Cope on Monday, poetizes him into a hero and regards Amy as an instrument. ### [XVIII: Cope at the Call of Duty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xviii-cope-at-the-call-of-duty) Continues to make Cope a hero; puts Amy in a subordinate place; presses Cope to sing and then to improvise a story. ### [XIX: Cope Finds Himself Committed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xix-cope-finds-himself-committed) Initially charmed by Cope, she now frowns on Amy's claims and requisitions Cope for a private evening at the theatre, asserting her own claim. ### [XX: Cope Has a Distressful Christmas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xx-cope-has-a-distressful-christmas) Mrs. Phillips is away at a reading during Cope's visit, but her drawing-room is the setting for the meeting. ### [XXI: Cope, Safeguarded, Calls Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxi-cope-safeguarded-calls-again) Hosts the evening, observes Lemoyne's behavior, feels emotional during Cope's singing. ### [Cope Shall Be Rescued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxii-cope-shall-be-rescued) Attends Randolph's dinner, praises the house and Sing-Lo, and agrees that Cope and Amy are not suited; supports the plan to push Pearson forward. ### [XXIV: Cope in Danger Anew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxiv-cope-in-danger-anew) Becomes sympathetic and tender toward Cope, takes him to the opera and theatre, and arranges seating to showcase him. ### [XXV: Cope in Double Danger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxv-cope-in-double-danger) Attends the same reception as Cope; discovers Carolyn's sonnets and immediately suspects Cope is the subject; continues to promote Hortense's portrait. ### [Cope Absent from a Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxviii-cope-absent-from-a-wedding) Hosts the wedding; is displeased by Hortense's outburst and decides to send her away; later argues with Randolph about Cope. ### [Cope Again in the Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxix-cope-again-in-the-country) Orchestrates the trip; sends Hortense south; positions herself between Cope and Carolyn; continues her subtle manipulation. ### [Cope as a Hero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxx-cope-as-a-hero) Dramatically clings to Cope, exaggerates his heroism, and criticizes Carolyn's behavior. ### [XXXI: Cope Gets New Light on His Chum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxxi-cope-gets-new-light-on-his-chum) Finds Lemoyne's performance distasteful, as anticipated. ### [XXXII: Cope Takes His Degree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxxii-cope-takes-his-degree) Feels lonely after the departures of Amy, Hortense, and Carolyn; attends convocation with Randolph and notes Cope's charm. ### [Cope in a Final View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxxiii-cope-in-a-final-view) Feels ignored by Cope; predicts Carolyn will marry him and plans to entertain new young people in the fall. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/medora_phillips - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters