# Mrs. Fyne — Chance character guide

> Mrs. Fyne in Chance by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Fyne, the Fyne

**First appearance:** 0006-ii-the-fynes-and-the-girlfriend

## Snapshot

Fyne's self-possessed wife, all theory and composure, who takes Flora in yet keeps her at a cool, governess-like distance.

## Who they are

Mrs. Fyne is a woman of decided views and splendid teeth, presiding over her household with the calm efficiency of a capable governess rather than a warm hostess. She shelters Flora after her flight but treats the girl's distress as a problem to be managed, her kindness hedged by theoretical positions and unspoken judgments. Her coolness toward Flora and her influence over her husband shape how the girl is received, protected, and ultimately pushed toward the Anthonys.

## Relationships

### [Charles Powell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/charles_powell)

_social_

Powell is a frequent visitor and confidant in the Fyne household, acting as a bridge between the Fynes and the outside world.

### [Captain Anthony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/captain_anthony)

_social_

Captain Anthony and Mrs. Fyne are acquaintances with a strained relationship, as she disapproves of his marriage to Flora.

### [Flora de Barral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/flora_de_barral)

_social_

Flora and Mrs. Fyne have a tense social relationship, with Mrs. Fyne acting as a patronizing and judgmental figure.

### [Mr. Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/mr_smith)

_social_

Mr. Smith and Mrs. Fyne are social acquaintances, connected through the Fyne family's social circle.

### [Charles Powell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/charles_powell)

_social_

Powell is a frequent visitor and confidant in the Fyne household, acting as a bridge between the Fynes and the outside world.

### [Charles Powell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/charles_powell)

_social_

Powell is a frequent visitor and confidant in the Fyne household, acting as a bridge between the Fynes and the outside world.

### [Captain Anthony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/captain_anthony)

_social_

Captain Anthony and Mrs. Fyne are acquaintances with a strained relationship, as she disapproves of his marriage to Flora.

### [Captain Anthony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/captain_anthony)

_social_

Captain Anthony and Mrs. Fyne are acquaintances with a strained relationship, as she disapproves of his marriage to Flora.

### [Flora de Barral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/flora_de_barral)

_social_

Flora and Mrs. Fyne have a tense social relationship, with Mrs. Fyne acting as a patronizing and judgmental figure.

### [Mr. Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/mr_smith)

_social_

Mr. Smith and Mrs. Fyne are social acquaintances, connected through the Fyne family's social circle.

### [Flora de Barral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/flora_de_barral)

_social_

Flora and Mrs. Fyne have a tense social relationship, with Mrs. Fyne acting as a patronizing and judgmental figure.

### [Mr. Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/mr_smith)

_social_

Mr. Smith and Mrs. Fyne are social acquaintances, connected through the Fyne family's social circle.

## In the story

### [Part I: The Damsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/part-i-the-damsel)

Fyne's wife, who takes an interest in Flora and helps her, though her motives are complex.

### [II: The Fynes and the Girlfriend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/ii-the-fynes-and-the-girlfriend)

Reveals her feminist doctrine, which prioritizes a woman's self-interest over consideration for others.

### [IV: The Governess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/iv-the-governess)

Shares her husband's concern, noting Flora's fondness for Charley and her own powerlessness to warn her.

### [V: The Tea-Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/v-the-tea-party)

Visits Marlow for tea, seeking his practical sagacity and revealing details about Flora's difficult history.

### [VI: Flora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/vi-flora)

Relates Flora's history to Marlow, showing her concern and her philosophical views on women's rights.

### [VII: On the Pavement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/vii-on-the-pavement)

Mentioned as having read Flora's letter and shared its contents with Fyne, expressing concern about Flora's state of mind.

### [Part II: The Knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/part-ii-the-knight)

The driving force behind the introduction of Flora to Captain Anthony. She writes a letter to Anthony and orchestrates a meeting, acting with a sense of moral conviction.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/mrs_fyne
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters