# Mrs. Bagnet — Bleak House character guide

> Mrs. Bagnet in Bleak House by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bagnet

**First appearance:** 0028-xxvii-more-old-soldiers-than-one

## Snapshot

A brisk, warm-hearted soldier's wife who speaks her husband's opinions for him, raises three children on little, and counts George as a true friend.

## Who they are

Mrs. Bagnet keeps the Bagnet household running with cheer and economy while her wooden-faced husband Lignum delivers his verdicts in monosyllables and lets her translate. She is devoted to George, the trooper, and her affection for him is unshowy but absolute, the kind that notices his shaking hands before he does. In a novel full of failed families, the Bagents offer a working model of loyalty and plain decency, and Mrs. Bagnet's steadiness becomes a quiet anchor for George in his hardest moments.

## In the story

### [More Old Soldiers Than One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bleak_house_se/chapters/xxvii-more-old-soldiers-than-one)

Cooks dinner, receives a compliment from George, and is recognized as the family's practical advisor.

### [A Turn of the Screw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bleak_house_se/chapters/xxxiv-a-turn-of-the-screw)

Visits George with her husband; initially angry and fearful for her family's security, but later forgives George.

### [Dutiful Friendship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bleak_house_se/chapters/xlix-dutiful-friendship)

The honored guest at her own birthday dinner, she cheerfully endures the meal and later expresses concern about George's restlessness.

### [LII: Obstinacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bleak_house_se/chapters/lii-obstinacy)

Determined to help Mr. George; reveals he has a living mother and sets off immediately for Lincolnshire to bring her to London.

### [Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bleak_house_se/chapters/lv-flight)

Accompanies Mrs. Rouncewell to the prison and later returns home.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bleak_house_se/characters/mrs_bagnet
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bleak_house_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bleak_house_se/characters