Hard Times · Character

Mrs. Pegler

An old woman who secretly visits Coketown, later revealed as Bounderby's mother.

minor

Also known as Mrs. Pegler, old Mrs. Pegler, Pegler

First appearance: XII: The Old Woman

Mrs. Pegler shows up with force in XII: The Old Woman. The page is where that presence becomes real.

The old woman is later revealed to be Mrs.

In the storyXII: The Old WomanOpen this moment free

See Mrs. Pegler in XII: The Old Woman Book page

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In XII: The Old Woman: The old woman is later revealed to be Mrs. Pegler, though not explicitly named in this chapter; she is the mysterious visitor. Later, in Fading Away: Mrs. Pegler, an old woman who joins Stephen…

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The fuller portrait of Mrs. Pegler sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mrs. Pegler in XII: The Old Woman

Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Louisa’s awakening from a "torpor" marks the emotional and psychol…

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In the story

Mrs. Pegler appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XII: The Old Woman
The old woman is later revealed to be Mrs. Pegler, though not explicitly named in this chapter; she is the mysterious visitor.
Fading Away
Mrs. Pegler, an old woman who joins Stephen and Rachael for tea, becomes extremely agitated upon hearing the name 'Bounderby' and hides when Louisa arrives.
Found
Brought by Mrs. Sparsit, she proudly defends her son and reveals the truth about Bounderby's childhood.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Mrs. Pegler in XII: The Old Woman