King Coal · Character

Mrs. Rafferty

Tim Rafferty's mother, a miner's widow.

minor

Also known as old Mrs. Rafferty

First appearance: I

Mrs. Rafferty shows up with force in XI. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Gaunt, grey-haired mother who hosts Hal for dinner and explains the company's restrictions on boarding and trade.

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In XI: Gaunt, grey-haired mother who hosts Hal for dinner and explains the company's restrictions on boarding and trade. Later, in Chapter…

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

This is the dramatic climax because Mary reaches an emotional and psychological peak by confronting her own je…

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Mrs. Rafferty appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XI
Gaunt, grey-haired mother who hosts Hal for dinner and explains the company's restrictions on boarding and trade.
Chapter XVIII
Attempts to change the subject from union talk to Mary's sister's health.
XXXIV
Mentioned by Hal as an example of the human cost of the disaster, with her failing health and eight children.
Chapter XVI
Receives the news of the mine opening with a scream to the Holy Virgin, waking her children.
I
Old woman whose husband Rafferty survived the disaster but is permanently disabled; she fears destitution and the loss of her children.
Chapter III
Old Mrs. Rafferty rushes to the crowd in terror, begging Tim to come down and fearing eviction.

Chapter companion notes

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