# Mrs. Gowan — Little Dorrit character guide

> Mrs. Gowan in Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the Dowager Mrs. Gowan

**First appearance:** 0047-viii-the-dowager-mrs-gowan-is-reminded-that-it-never-does

## Who they are

Henry's proud, aristocratic mother who disapproves of his marriage.

## In the story

### [Mrs. Merdle's Complaint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxxiii-mrs-merdle-s-complaint)

Feigns reluctance to her son's marriage to Pet Meagles, maintaining the pretense of sacrifice to uphold Barnacle dignity.

### [A Shoal of Barnacles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxxiv-a-shoal-of-barnacles)

Arranges the Barnacle gathering and remains herself, which does not improve Mr. Meagles's spirits.

### [The Dowager Mrs. Gowan Is Reminded That "It Never Does"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/viii-the-dowager-mrs-gowan-is-reminded-that-it-never-does)

The Dowager Mrs. Gowan visits the Meagles, maintaining a pretence that her son was ensnared by them; she declares that unequal marriages 'never do' and departs.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/mrs_gowan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters