# Mrs. Sparsit — Hard Times character guide

> Mrs. Sparsit in Hard Times by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Sparsit, Sparsit

**First appearance:** 0007-vii-mrs-sparsit

## Snapshot

Bounderby's aristocratic housekeeper, all Coriolanian eyebrows and martyred sighs, who watches Louisa with predatory interest.

## Who they are

Mrs. Sparsit clings to her faded family connections while serving as Bounderby's housekeeper, a position she treats as a stage for her wounded dignity. She resents Louisa's youth and position, and her officious meddling — especially her zeal in tracking down Mrs. Pegler — is driven as much by spite as by loyalty. Her schemes and humiliations expose the petty cruelties that flourish in a society obsessed with rank and self-interest.

## In the story

### [Mrs. Sparsit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/chapters/vii-mrs-sparsit)

Mrs. Sparsit is introduced as a highly connected widow of the Powler family, now serving as Bounderby's housekeeper. She maintains a dignified, mournful demeanor and subtly resents Bounderby's condescension.

### [No Way Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/chapters/xi-no-way-out)

Present during Stephen's visit, netting at the fireside and silently judging the 'popular vices.'

### [Husband and Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/chapters/xvi-husband-and-wife)

Receives the news with exaggerated condescension and pity, accepts a position at the Bank, and treats Bounderby as a victim.

### [Effects in the Bank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/chapters/i-effects-in-the-bank)

Presides over the Bank after hours, sees herself as a 'Bank Fairy' and guardian of the premises, and engages in conversation with Bitzer and the stranger.

### [The Whelp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/chapters/iii-the-whelp)

Mentioned as an 'ancient lady' who admires Louisa, with Tom sarcastically noting her 'affection and devotion' and implying she had designs on Bounderby.

### [Explosion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/chapters/viii-explosion)

Stays at Bounderby's house, repeatedly calls Louisa 'Miss Gradgrind', pities Bounderby, and spies on Louisa and Harthouse in the garden.

### [Hearing the Last of It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/chapters/ix-hearing-the-last-of-it)

Feigns humility and devotion to Bounderby while privately mocking him; her actions drive Louisa and Harthouse closer together.

### [Mrs. Sparsit's Staircase](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/chapters/x-mrs-sparsit-s-staircase)

Obsessively watches Louisa's perceived moral descent, imagining a staircase to ruin.

### [Lower and Lower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/chapters/xi-lower-and-lower)

Acts as a spy, following Louisa and Harthouse, exulting in her perceived downfall.

### [Very Ridiculous](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/chapters/ii-very-ridiculous)

Noted as having left early in the morning, adding to the general confusion; Tom expresses dislike for her mysterious behavior.

### [Very Decided](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/chapters/iii-very-decided)

Eavesdrops on Louisa and Harthouse, then rushes to inform Bounderby, suffering from a cold and later fainting, only to be dismissed by Bounderby.

### [Found](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/chapters/v-found)

Oversteps by bringing Mrs. Pegler, hoping to solve the robbery, but is humiliated when Bounderby rebukes her.

### [Final](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/chapters/ix-final)

Is dismissed by Bounderby and responds with contempt; foreseen to fight a daily battle with Lady Scadgers.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/characters/mrs_sparsit
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hard_times_se/characters