# Miriam — Honeycomb character guide > Miriam in Honeycomb by Dorothy M. Richardson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Mirry **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A governess who measures her freedom in green lanes and anemones, Miriam burns against the family disgrace that threatens to swallow her whole life. ## Who they are Miriam moves through other people's households as a resident governess, watching, laughing, and privately refusing the future her father's debts have laid out for her. When May comes she feels she has reached the summit of a hill, the family shadow shrunk to a small black cloud of disgrace, yet she knows the creditors' kindness would be as stifling as their cruelty. Her fierce, secret plan of restitution — to pay them all back anonymously if she ever becomes wealthy — reveals a girl who will not sacrifice her life to anyone's ledger. ## Relationships ### [Mrs. Corrie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/characters/mrs_corrie) _psychological_ Miriam is deeply obsessed with Mrs. Corrie, viewing her as a maternal figure and object of fixation, while Mrs. Corrie remains aloof and manipulative. ### [Joey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/characters/joey) _romantic_ Joey is Miriam's devoted but often frustrated lover, caught in a tense and unrequited emotional dynamic. ### [Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/characters/eve) _friendship_ Eve is Miriam's close friend and confidante, though their bond is strained by Miriam's obsessive tendencies. ### [Wiggerson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/characters/wiggerson) _professional_ Wiggerson is Miriam's employer or superior, and their interactions are marked by formal authority and subtle tension. ### [Bob Greville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/characters/bob_greville) _social_ Bob Greville is a casual acquaintance of Miriam, interacting mostly in social or community settings. ### [Mr. Staple-Craven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/characters/mr_staple_craven) _rivalry_ Miriam and Mr. Staple-Craven are antagonists, clashing over influence and control in their shared social sphere. ### [Harriett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/characters/harriett) _family_ Harriett is Miriam's sister, and their relationship is fraught with sibling rivalry and underlying affection. ### [Sybil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/characters/sybil) _friendship_ Sybil is a friend of Miriam, though their bond is superficial and often strained by Miriam's self-absorption. ### [Lilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/characters/lilla) _family_ Lilla is Miriam's younger sister, often overlooked and treated with condescension by Miriam. ### [Bennett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/characters/bennett) _romantic_ Bennett is a former suitor of Miriam, and their interactions are tinged with regret and unresolved tension. ### [Gerald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/characters/gerald) _family_ Gerald is Miriam's brother, and their relationship is marked by protective concern mixed with exasperation. ### [Mary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/characters/mary) _friendship_ Mary is a loyal but long-suffering friend of Miriam, often acting as a sounding board for her complaints. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/chapters/i) Arrives at Newlands, reflecting on her past hardships and feeling transformed by the journey and the spring air. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/chapters/ii) Miriam arrives at Newlands and begins to navigate the household, feeling both alienated and drawn to the freedom of Mr. Corrie's study. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/chapters/iii) Feels fear and alienation during conversations about marriage; seeks to keep the topic going; reflects on her incapacity as a governess and her envy of the ease of the wealthy. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/chapters/iv) Realizes teaching is futile, finds solace in reading to children, and is inspired by Mrs. Kronen to seek a beautiful life. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/chapters/v) Feels torn between the allure of Mrs. Kronen's sophisticated world and her family duties; reflects on her sisters' weddings and her own desire for freedom. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/chapters/vi) Experiences a transformative walk through the West End, feeling both part of the vibrant city and conflicted about her identity as she writes to Bob. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/chapters/vii) Receives Bob's letter, feels conflicted about him, is excited by sketching lessons, and experiences a sense of being trapped between two worlds during the outing. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/chapters/viii) Experiences a flawless May, reflecting on past family disgrace and her inner resilience; becomes absorbed in painting and resists learning Mrs. Corrie's secret. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/chapters/ix) Feels alienated from the Newlands household, struggles with social expectations, and finds a fleeting inner radiance. ### [Homecoming and Wedding Celebrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/chapters/x) Returns home, feels the villa has become home, interacts with Mary and a troubled guest, reflects on the weddings and her own future. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/chapters/xi) Overwhelmed by fatigue and the burden of caring for her mother; experiences a dream about Lilla and feels a deep connection and resentment. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/characters/miriam - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/honeycomb_se/characters