Hester · Character

Ellen Vernon

Hester's glittering cousin, married into the Merridew money, whose pearls, parties, and easy confidence make her both a rival and a mirror for Hester's plainer life.

supporting

Also known as Ellen, Nell, Nelly, Cousin Ellen

First appearance: i vernon s

As a supporting figure in Hester, Ellen Vernon is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Harry's sister, described as young and headstrong, who keeps Catherine at arm's length and shows little affection for her.

In the storyIII: The VernonryOpen this moment free

See Ellen Vernon in III: The Vernonry Book page

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Ellen Vernon has become Ellen Merridew, a tall, well-dressed hostess whose Chinese lanterns and careless extravagance set the social weather for the young set around Redborough. Her marriage to Algernon Merridew gives her a stage, and she uses it — half-kindly, half-carelessly — to draw Hester into a world of flirtation and display that the Vernonry cannot afford. Her chatter and her jibes about Edward and Hester carry the community's assumptions, and her presence makes visible the gap between what Hester has and what Hester might become.

Continue beside the text

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

See Ellen Vernon in i vernon s

Character Web

21 connections

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

Relationship types

Family
Other

Character groups

Vernon family core
Extended family and rivals
Protagonist

+16 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

This is the dramatic climax because Catherine’s emotional and psychological peak occurs when her love for Edwa…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Hester Vernon
family · positive
Ellen is Hester's younger sister, and their bond is tender but overshadowed by Ellen's… How this plays out →
Catherine Vernon
family · positive
Catherine Vernon
family · positive
Hester Vernon
family · positive
Ellen is Hester's younger sister, and their bond is tender but overshadowed by Ellen's… How this plays out →
Hester Vernon
family · positive
Ellen is Hester's younger sister, and their bond is tender but overshadowed by Ellen's… How this plays out →
Catherine Vernon
family · positive

Hester Vernon
Ellen is Hester's younger sister, and their bond is tender but overshadowed by Ellen's illness and dependency.
Catherine Vernon
Catherine is Ellen's mother, and she cares for her with deep tenderness, especially due to Ellen's frail health.
Catherine Vernon
Catherine is Ellen's mother, and she cares for her with deep tenderness, especially due to Ellen's frail health.
Hester Vernon
Ellen is Hester's younger sister, and their bond is tender but overshadowed by Ellen's illness and dependency.
Hester Vernon
Ellen is Hester's younger sister, and their bond is tender but overshadowed by Ellen's illness and dependency.
Catherine Vernon
Catherine is Ellen's mother, and she cares for her with deep tenderness, especially due to Ellen's frail health.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Ellen Vernon in i vernon s

In the story

Ellen Vernon appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

III: The Vernonry
Harry's sister, described as young and headstrong, who keeps Catherine at arm's length and shows little affection for her.
VII: Settling Down
Fair and fashionably dressed; holds her own court apart from Catherine's influence, dazzling Hester with her beauty.
XIV: Harry's View
Referenced as having managed the household in the past, with a 'fast and noisy' style that Harry now finds less advantageous.
A Centre of Life
Proud and delighted that her house has become the center of Vernon social life, she dismisses her husband's concerns about expenses.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Ellen Vernon unlock in the free preview.

See Ellen Vernon in i vernon s

See Ellen Vernon in III: The Vernonry