# Mrs. Rafferty — King Coal character guide

> Mrs. Rafferty in King Coal by Upton Sinclair.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** old Mrs. Rafferty

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Who they are

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

## In the story

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xi)

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

### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xviii)

Attempts to change the subject from union talk to Mary's sister's health.

### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xxxiv)

Mentioned by Hal as an example of the human cost of the disaster, with her failing health and eight children.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xvi)

Receives the news of the mine opening with a scream to the Holy Virgin, waking her children.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/i)

Old woman whose husband Rafferty survived the disaster but is permanently disabled; she fears destitution and the loss of her children.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/iii)

Old Mrs. Rafferty rushes to the crowd in terror, begging Tim to come down and fearing eviction.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/characters/mrs_rafferty
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/characters