Daniel Deronda · Character

Mrs. Meyrick

A lively half-French, half-Scottish widow whose tiny parlor becomes a sanctuary, taking in the destitute Mirah and treating her as a daughter.

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Meyrick, Mrs. ¬†Meyrick

First appearance: xii

As a supporting figure in Daniel Deronda, Mrs. Meyrick is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as the lady with daughters to whom Deronda plans to take Mirah for safety.

In the storyChapter XVIIOpen this moment free

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Mrs. Meyrick presides over a compact, affectionate household of four women and a Persian cat, reading Erckmann-Chatrian aloud and keeping her daughters' minds brightly visible. Her quick, articulate sympathy makes her the natural refuge for Mirah Lapidoth, whom she shelters without hesitation. In a novel full of calculating guardians and absent parents, she embodies the quiet, practical goodness that lets the story's displaced characters breathe.

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See Mrs. Meyrick in xii

Character Web

52 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central and supporting characters
Minor and background characters
Mordecai's family circle

+47 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 chapter, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Deronda receives Hans Meyrick’s letter, whic…

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In the story

Mrs. Meyrick appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter XVII
Mentioned as the lady with daughters to whom Deronda plans to take Mirah for safety.
XVIII
The mother of the Meyrick household; she welcomes Mirah with kindness and prepares her daughters to help.
XIX
Deronda plans to visit Mrs. Meyrick to gather hints from Mirah's own lips.
Chapter XX
Mrs. Meyrick agrees to care for Mirah and promises to write to Deronda while he is abroad.
XXXII
Writes to Deronda about Mirah's well-being; describes the family's fondness for Mirah.
Chapter XXXVII
Relieved by Hans's return, observes Mirah's laughter, and poses as Gessius Florus for Hans's painting.
Chapter XXXIX
Hosts Klesmer's visit; deliberates with Hans about Mirah's dress for the performance.
XLVI
Helps find lodging and expresses mixed feelings about Mordecai's enthusiasm.
XLVII
Tells the Meyrick family about Mordecai and brings Mirah to meet him; witnesses the reunion with emotion.
LII
Mrs. Meyrick observes Mirah's distress and engages in conversation about Gwendolen, prompting Mirah's comparison.
LXX
Attends the wedding with her three daughters, reconciled to meeting the Jewish pawnbroker.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mrs. Meyrick in xii

See Mrs. Meyrick in Chapter XVII