# Miss Pole — Cranford character guide

> Miss Pole in Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Pole

**First appearance:** 0000-i-our-society

## Snapshot

Cranford's self-appointed intelligence officer, Miss Pole collects gossip, brooches, and opinions with equal zeal, knitting through every scandal and debate.

## Who they are

Miss Pole is the town's most inquisitive spinster, forever piecing together news of lords, conjurors, and suspected romances, and wearing seven brooches at once when occasion demands. She relishes a good story and a good argument, yet her sharpness is tempered by genuine loyalty to her friends. Her running commentary and speculation drive much of Cranford's social comedy, especially when she suspects Mr. Peter of matrimonial designs.

## In the story

### [A Love Affair of Long Ago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cranford_se/chapters/iii-a-love-affair-of-long-ago)

Hosts the narrator and tells the story of Miss Matty's past love affair with Mr. Holbrook.

### [IV: A Visit to an Old Bachelor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cranford_se/chapters/iv-a-visit-to-an-old-bachelor)

Brings news of Mr. Holbrook's decline and death; joins the visit to Woodley.

### [Visiting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cranford_se/chapters/vii-visiting)

Visits Miss Matty to discuss the guest list, argues for relaxing exclusivity to maintain society.

### [Your Ladyship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cranford_se/chapters/viii-your-ladyship)

Indignant about being excluded from calling on Lady Glenmire; puzzles over correct forms of address and leads the social resistance.

### [IX: Signor Brunoni](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cranford_se/chapters/ix-signor-brunoni)

Relates her adventure of encountering Signor Brunoni at the Assembly Rooms; becomes the heroine of the evening.

### [X: The Panic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cranford_se/chapters/x-the-panic)

Collects and amplifies alarming reports, begs a worn-out hat from Mr. Hoggins for protection, and ultimately flees to Miss Matty's house in a panic, carrying her plate.

### [XI: Samuel Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cranford_se/chapters/xi-samuel-brown)

Leads the morning walk, investigates the injured man, and organizes lodgings for Samuel Brown.

### [XIV: Friends in Need](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cranford_se/chapters/xiv-friends-in-need)

Hosts the meeting of Cranford ladies who pledge annual contributions to support Miss Matty.

### [XVI: Peace to Cranford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cranford_se/chapters/xvi-peace-to-cranford)

Miss Pole writes to the narrator, speculates about Mr. Peter and Mrs. Jamieson, and gives a party in Mr. Peter's honor.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cranford_se/characters/miss_pole
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cranford_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cranford_se/characters