# Mary Jane Wilks — The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn character guide

> Mary Jane Wilks in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mary Jane, Miss Mary Jane, Mary

**First appearance:** 0026-xxiv

## Snapshot

The eldest Wilks daughter, warm-hearted and trusting, whose grief over her father's death makes her the King and Duke's easiest mark.

## Who they are

She is the red-haired Wilks sister who welcomes the two frauds as long-lost uncles, believing their tears and accepting their story without suspicion. Her openness and grief put her at the center of one of Huck's sharpest moral tests, and his decision to protect her becomes a turning point in his conscience. She matters because she is the kind of person the con men exist to exploit, and Huck knows it.

## In the story

### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxv)

The eldest niece, beautiful and redheaded, who joyfully welcomes the frauds as her uncles.

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxvi)

Mary Jane defends Huck against Joanna's accusations and shows kindness, deepening Huck's guilt.

### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxvii)

Grieves at her father's coffin, unaware of the hidden gold, and is deceived by the king's plan to take her and her sisters to England.

### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xxviii)

Mary Jane is initially crying over the separation of the slave family, then reacts with fury upon learning the truth, but agrees to leave town as Huck advises.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/characters/mary_jane_wilks
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/characters