John Brown’s Body · Character
Old Mistis
The elderly mistress of the Wingate plantation.
minor
Also known as ole Mistis, Mistis
First appearance: book ii
Old Mistis's tie to Cudjo is one of the pressures that moves John Brown’s Body—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.
Old Mistis is referenced in the context of faithful servants who stay with the plantation, stealing food for a hungry mistress and keeping the house alive.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
With Cudjo (professional): Cudjo is an enslaved servant to Old Mistis, their relationship defined by the power imbalance of slavery. With Cudjo (professional): Cudjo is an enslaved servant to Old Mistis, their…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Old Mistis sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Old Mistis in book iiCharacter Web
15 connectionsA slice of how Old Mistis sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Professional
- Other
Character groups
- Wingate plantation enslaved characters
- Protagonist
- Minor and supporting characters
+10 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This passage marks the dramatic climax because it captures the emotional and psychological peak of collective…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Cudjo
professional · negative
Cudjo is an enslaved servant to Old Mistis, their relationship defined by the power… How this plays out →
- Cudjo
professional · negative
Cudjo is an enslaved servant to Old Mistis, their relationship defined by the power… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Old Mistis in book iiIn the story
Old Mistis appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Old Mistis unlock in the free preview.
See Old Mistis in book ii