# Laura Willowes — Lolly Willowes character guide

> Laura Willowes in Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Lolly, Poor Lolly, Aunt Lolly, So Laura, the unconcerned Laura, Great Mop, Great Mop Laura, Laura Erminia Willowes, Dear Laura, Dear Lolly, Dearest Lolly, Auntie Lolly, Auntie Laura

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A quiet spinster who stains her wrist with geranium juice and trades a London spare-room for a Chilterns village where she might finally belong to herself.

## Who they are

When her father dies, Laura is absorbed into her brother Henry's household as Aunt Lolly—useful, unmarried, faintly pitied, her future reduced to a small spare-room and the hope of a husband before thirty. She is a woman of hidden intensities: she crushed geranium petals to redden her cheeks as a girl, and she loves places before she ever sees them, staking everything on a name and a spray of beech-leaves. Her move to Great Mop sets the story's central question—what a woman's life might become when nobody is watching her.

## Relationships

### [Henry Willowes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/characters/henry_willowes)

_family_

Henry is Laura's controlling older brother who expects her to be a dutiful spinster aunt in his household.

### [Titus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/characters/titus)

_friendship_

Titus is Laura's familiar, a cat who accompanies her and symbolizes her growing independence and connection to the natural world.

### [Satan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/characters/satan)

_psychological_

Satan is Laura's diabolical patron and liberator, who offers her freedom from societal constraints in a pact of witchcraft.

### [Mrs. Leak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/characters/mrs_leak)

_friendship_

Mrs. Leak is a fellow witch in Great Mop who becomes Laura's confidante and guide in the local coven.

### [Mr. Saunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/characters/mr_saunter)

_social_

Mr. Saunter is a mild-mannered village acquaintance who shares Laura's interest in nature and quiet walks.

### [Sibyl Mauleverer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/characters/sibyl_mauleverer)

_friendship_

Sibyl is a sophisticated and worldly woman who befriends Laura in London and encourages her artistic and independent spirit.

### [Mrs. Willowes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/characters/mrs_willowes)

_family_

Mrs. Willowes is Laura's sister-in-law, a conventional housewife who represents the domestic life Laura rejects.

### [Everard Vaterlein](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/characters/everard_vaterlein)

_psychological_

Everard is a mysterious and unsettling man who is later revealed to be Satan, testing Laura's allegiance.

### [Emma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/characters/emma)

_professional_

Emma is a servant in the Willowes household who assists Laura with daily chores and shows quiet loyalty.

### [Fancy Willowes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/characters/fancy_willowes)

_family_

Fancy is Laura's niece, a lively young girl who brings some warmth and affection into Laura's otherwise stifling family life.

### [Billy Thomas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/characters/billy_thomas)

_social_

Billy Thomas is a local villager in Great Mop who interacts with Laura as a neighbor and fellow community member.

### [James](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/characters/james)

_social_

James is a village youth who has casual, friendly interactions with Laura during her time in Great Mop.

## In the story

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

Introduced as the protagonist, she becomes 'Aunt Lolly' after moving to London, feeling divided between her old self and her new role.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/chapters/ii)

Laura is now living at Great Mop, enjoying her independence and the company of Mrs. Leak. She recalls her past autumnal disquiet and secret London expeditions, and firmly asserts her decision to leave her brother's home.

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

Realizes her lifelong vocation as a witch and reflects on Satan's pursuit of her.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/characters/laura_willowes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lolly_willowes_se/characters