# Ann Pornick — Kipps character guide

> Ann Pornick in Kipps by H. G. Wells.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Ann, young Ann, Pornick, Mary

**First appearance:** 0003-i-the-little-shop-at-new-romney

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Arthur Kipps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/characters/arthur_kipps)

_romantic_

Ann is Arthur's childhood sweetheart and later his true love, representing genuine affection and simplicity against the pretensions of high society.

### [Sid Pornick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/characters/sid_pornick)

_family_

Sid is Ann's protective and caring brother, who looks out for her interests and supports her relationship with Arthur.

### [Helen Walshingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/characters/helen_walshingham)

_rivalry_

Ann and Helen are romantic rivals for Arthur's affection, embodying the conflict between genuine love and social ambition.

### [Arthur Kipps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/characters/arthur_kipps)

_romantic_

Ann is Arthur's childhood sweetheart and later his true love, representing genuine affection and simplicity against the pretensions of high society.

### [Arthur Kipps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/characters/arthur_kipps)

_romantic_

Ann is Arthur's childhood sweetheart and later his true love, representing genuine affection and simplicity against the pretensions of high society.

### [Sid Pornick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/characters/sid_pornick)

_family_

Sid is Ann's protective and caring brother, who looks out for her interests and supports her relationship with Arthur.

### [Helen Walshingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/characters/helen_walshingham)

_rivalry_

Ann and Helen are romantic rivals for Arthur's affection, embodying the conflict between genuine love and social ambition.

## In the story

### [Kipps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/kipps)

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

### [Book I: The Making of Kipps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/book-i-the-making-of-kipps)

Childhood friend of Kipps, appears in early memories.

### [I: The Little Shop at New Romney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/vi-discords)

Reunites with Kipps in New Romney; still possesses the half-sixpence; represents his past and simpler desires.

### [VIII: Kipps Enters Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/ix-the-labyrinthodon)

Flees with Kipps to London, agrees to marry, discusses household plans and rejects pretension.

### [Book III: Kippses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/book-iii-kippses)

Ann is now Kipps' wife, adjusting to her new role and the complexities of their social circle.

### [I: The Housing Problem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/iii-terminations)

Kipps' wife, mother of his child, supportive and content in their modest life.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/characters/ann_pornick
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/characters