Can You Forgive Her? · Character

Mrs. Greenow

A wealthy widow who mourns her husband with admirable appetite, she keeps two rival suitors circling her table like well-fed pigeons, favoring neither.

supporting

Also known as Aunt Greenow, Greenow, the Vavasors Mrs. Greenow

First appearance: Aunt Greenow

As a supporting figure in Can You Forgive Her?, Mrs. Greenow is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Kate's aunt with whom she is staying in London; the narrator suggests she is the best worth knowing among the Vavasors.

In the storyGeorge Vavasor, the Wild ManOpen this moment free

Mrs. Greenow presides over Yarmouth and later Vavasor Hall as a cheerful, commanding widow whose grief never once interferes with dinner. Her genius lies in perfect evenhandedness: she smiles on farmer Cheesacre and Captain Bellfield with such exact measure that even her maid cannot guess her preference. That balance of flirtation and control makes her a comic counterweight to Alice's agonized earnestness, and her eventual choice will ripple through the cousins' fortunes.

See Mrs. Greenow in George Vavasor, the Wild Man Book page

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Character Web

38 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Main love and political triangle
Extended family, society, and minor schemers
Palliser political and household circle

+33 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this passage, the emotional and psychological peak occurs as the narrative shifts from personal drama to th…

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Relationships

Mr. Cheesacre
romantic · ambivalent
A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. How this plays out →
Captain Bellfield
romantic · positive
Kate Vavasor
family · positive
Alice Vavasor
family · positive
Lady Glencora Palliser
friendship · positive
Mr. Cheesacre
romantic · ambivalent
A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. How this plays out →
Captain Bellfield
romantic · positive
Kate Vavasor
family · positive
Lady Glencora Palliser
friendship · positive
Mr. Cheesacre
romantic · ambivalent
A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. How this plays out →
Alice Vavasor
family · positive
Alice Vavasor
family · positive

Mr. Cheesacre
A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. Cheesacre aggressively courts the flirtatious widow Mrs. Greenow, competing with Captain Bellfield.
Captain Bellfield
A charming but penniless fortune hunter, Captain Bellfield successfully woos Mrs. Greenow with flattery and wit, eventually winning her hand.
Kate Vavasor
Kate is Mrs. Greenow's niece, and their relationship is marked by Kate's deference and Mrs. Greenow's worldly advice.
Alice Vavasor
Alice is Mrs. Greenow's niece, and their relationship is affectionate but marked by Mrs. Greenow's pragmatic views on love and money.
Lady Glencora Palliser
Glencora finds a kindred spirit in the vivacious Mrs. Greenow, enjoying her company as a relief from the constraints of high society.
Mr. Cheesacre
A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. Cheesacre aggressively courts the flirtatious widow Mrs. Greenow, competing with Captain Bellfield.
Captain Bellfield
A charming but penniless fortune hunter, Captain Bellfield successfully woos Mrs. Greenow with flattery and wit, eventually winning her hand.
Kate Vavasor
Kate is Mrs. Greenow's niece, and their relationship is marked by Kate's deference and Mrs. Greenow's worldly advice.
Lady Glencora Palliser
Glencora finds a kindred spirit in the vivacious Mrs. Greenow, enjoying her company as a relief from the constraints of high society.
Mr. Cheesacre
A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. Cheesacre aggressively courts the flirtatious widow Mrs. Greenow, competing with Captain Bellfield.
Alice Vavasor
Alice is Mrs. Greenow's niece, and their relationship is affectionate but marked by Mrs. Greenow's pragmatic views on love and money.
Alice Vavasor
Alice is Mrs. Greenow's niece, and their relationship is affectionate but marked by Mrs. Greenow's pragmatic views on love and money.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mrs. Greenow in Aunt Greenow

In the story

Mrs. Greenow appears across 21 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

George Vavasor, the Wild Man
Kate's aunt with whom she is staying in London; the narrator suggests she is the best worth knowing among the Vavasors.
Aunt Greenow
A wealthy widow of forty with £40,000, she is determined to enjoy her freedom and manage Kate's social life, despite her recent bereavement.
Mr. Cheesacre
Orchestrates the picnic arrangements and skillfully manages the attentions of both Cheesacre and Bellfield.
The Rivals
The wealthy widow who is the object of both Cheesacre's and Bellfield's attentions; she manages the picnic with authority and gently rebuffs Cheesacre's proposal.
Nethercoats
Mentioned as being left at Yarmouth with her niece and two sisters.
Tribute from Oileymead
Hosts Kate in Norwich, receives gifts from Mr. Cheesacre, and manipulates the situation to encourage his attentions.
XX: Which Shall It Be?
Receives proposals from both Mr. Cheesacre and Captain Bellfield, but rejects both, citing her recent widowhood.
Among the Fells
Mentioned in Kate's letter, Mrs. Greenow writes about her suitors Mr. Cheesacre and Captain Bellfield, and invites Kate to return to Norwich.
The Inn at Shap
Suggested by Kate as an alternative lender; George dismisses the idea.
Mr. Cheesacre's Hospitality
The widow being courted by both Cheesacre and Bellfield; she maintains a genial but non-committal stance, enjoying their attentions while keeping her independence.
Mrs. Greenow's Little Dinner in the Close
Hosts the dinner, skillfully balancing attention between Cheesacre and Bellfield, rebuffs Cheesacre's proposal but forgives him.
Mr. Cheesacre's Disappointment
Resolves to reject Mr. Cheesacre for love, considers Captain Bellfield, and tries to match Cheesacre with Kate Vavasor.
LIII: The Last Will of the Old Squire
Kate decides to send for her aunt to come to Vavasor Hall, as her presence would not influence the Squire's property decisions.
Showing How Alice Was Punished
Arrives at Vavasor Hall from Norwich via Manchester, joining the family gathering after the Squire's death.
The Will
Delighted for Kate's inheritance; treats George's bad humor as grief and remains cheerful.
Showing How the Wild Beast Got Himself Back from the Mountains
Stays at the Hall to care for Kate; speaks of Mr. Cheesacre as a suitor but no longer insists on the match; acknowledges Kate's financial independence.
The Rocks and Valleys
Mistress of Vavasor Hall, she confesses her intention to marry Captain Bellfield, citing loneliness and a desire to help a poor fellow.
LXV: The First Kiss
Rejects Mr. Cheesacre's advances, manages the situation with Captain Bellfield, and finalizes wedding plans.
From Baden to Lucerne
Mentioned in Kate's letter as buying wedding clothes and planning to marry Captain Bellfield.
Showing How George Vavasor Paid a Visit
Comments on George Vavasor's mysterious disappearance, expressing relief.
Mr. Cheesacre's Fate
Orchestrates the match between Mr. Cheesacre and Charlie Fairstairs, while preparing for her own marriage to Captain Bellfield.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Mrs. Greenow in Aunt Greenow

See Mrs. Greenow in George Vavasor, the Wild Man