Kipps · Character

Ann Pornick

Kipps's childhood sweetheart from New Romney, a servant with plain sense and a half-sixpence she never threw away, who measures worth by homeliness rather than polish.

major

Also known as Ann, young Ann, Pornick, Mary

First appearance: I: The Little Shop at New Romney

As a major figure in Kipps, Ann Pornick is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A childhood acquaintance of Kipps, hinting at future romantic entanglements.

In the storyKippsOpen this moment free

See Ann Pornick in Kipps Book page

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Ann re-enters Kipps's life as a servant on holiday, unimpressed by fortune and quietly certain about what a good life looks like: a small house, a sink upstairs, no basement stairs to wear a woman out. Her easy intimacy with Kipps exposes how much of his new refinement is performance, and her refusal to want servants or art or anything 'stuck-up' sets her against Helen's ambitions. She matters because she keeps alive the possibility that Kipps's happiness lies in his old world rather than the one he is being groomed for.

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The fuller portrait of Ann Pornick sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Ann Pornick in I: The Little Shop at New Romney

Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Ann Pornick sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Family
Other

Character groups

Kipps's social origins and influences
Minor figures and social backdrop
Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Kipps experiences the emotional and psychological peak of his inte…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Arthur Kipps
romantic · positive
Ann is Arthur's childhood sweetheart and later his true love, representing genuine… How this plays out →
Sid Pornick
family · positive
Helen Walshingham
rivalry · negative
Arthur Kipps
romantic · positive
Ann is Arthur's childhood sweetheart and later his true love, representing genuine… How this plays out →
Arthur Kipps
romantic · positive
Ann is Arthur's childhood sweetheart and later his true love, representing genuine… How this plays out →
Sid Pornick
family · positive
Helen Walshingham
rivalry · negative

Arthur Kipps
Ann is Arthur's childhood sweetheart and later his true love, representing genuine affection and simplicity against the pretensions of high society.
Sid Pornick
Sid is Ann's protective and caring brother, who looks out for her interests and supports her relationship with Arthur.
Helen Walshingham
Ann and Helen are romantic rivals for Arthur's affection, embodying the conflict between genuine love and social ambition.
Arthur Kipps
Ann is Arthur's childhood sweetheart and later his true love, representing genuine affection and simplicity against the pretensions of high society.
Arthur Kipps
Ann is Arthur's childhood sweetheart and later his true love, representing genuine affection and simplicity against the pretensions of high society.
Sid Pornick
Sid is Ann's protective and caring brother, who looks out for her interests and supports her relationship with Arthur.
Helen Walshingham
Ann and Helen are romantic rivals for Arthur's affection, embodying the conflict between genuine love and social ambition.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Ann Pornick in I: The Little Shop at New Romney

In the story

Ann Pornick appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Kipps
A childhood acquaintance of Kipps, hinting at future romantic entanglements.
Book I: The Making of Kipps
Childhood friend of Kipps, appears in early memories.
I: The Little Shop at New Romney
Childhood friend and first love of Kipps; she gives him a half sixpence as he departs for Folkestone.
Discords
Reunites with Kipps in New Romney; still possesses the half-sixpence; represents his past and simpler desires.
VIII: Kipps Enters Society
Works as a housemaid at Mrs. Bindon Botting's; is shocked to see Kipps at the tea and later returns his half sixpence.
IX: The Labyrinthodon
Flees with Kipps to London, agrees to marry, discusses household plans and rejects pretension.
Book III: Kippses
Ann is now Kipps' wife, adjusting to her new role and the complexities of their social circle.
I: The Housing Problem
Now Mrs. Kipps, Ann is practical and critical of the houses they view, advocating for servant-friendly designs and sensible features, but feels out of place in her new, expensive clothes.
II: The Callers
Wears a loose robe on Sid Pornick's advice; becomes touchy and tearful; quarrels with Kipps over cards and buttered toast; quietly sobs in the night.
Terminations
Kipps' wife, mother of his child, supportive and content in their modest life.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Ann Pornick unlock in the free preview.

See Ann Pornick in I: The Little Shop at New Romney

See Ann Pornick in Kipps