# Edith Bartlett — Looking Backward character guide

> Edith Bartlett in Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Edith

**First appearance:** 0002-i

## Snapshot

Julian's beautiful, wealthy fiancée of 1887, whose unfinished house and interrupted wedding mark everything the sleeper left behind.

## Who they are

Edith Bartlett is the woman Julian was to marry once his house was finished, a match of money and beauty among Boston's coach-riding class. The strikes that stalled the builders kept postponing the wedding, a small domestic frustration that quietly exposes the labor system Julian never questioned. She embodies the vanished nineteenth century he mourns, and her name's echo in the Leete household unsettles him as he adjusts to the year 2000.

## Relationships

### [Edith Leete](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/looking_backward_se/characters/edith_leete)

_social_

Edith Bartlett is Julian's former fiancée from the 19th century, and Edith Leete is her descendant, creating a symbolic connection.

### [Dr. Leete](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/looking_backward_se/characters/dr_leete)

_social_

Dr. Leete knows of Edith Bartlett as Julian's former fiancée, but has no direct relationship with her.

### [Mrs. Leete](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/looking_backward_se/characters/mrs_leete)

_social_

Edith Bartlett and Mrs. Leete have no meaningful interaction, only a distant connection through Julian.

## In the story

### [Looking Backward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/looking_backward_se/chapters/looking-backward)

Julian's fiancée, mentioned in the context of their engagement and his visits to her family.

### [Chapter II: The Mesmeric Trance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/looking_backward_se/chapters/ii)

Julian's betrothed; he dines with her family on Decoration Day and tries to persuade her to marry sooner.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/looking_backward_se/chapters/xx)

Mentioned as Julian's former fiancée; her picture is shown and kissed by Edith Leete.

### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/looking_backward_se/chapters/xxvii)

Mentioned as Julian's former love; her grave and memory are invoked, and Edith Leete feels her spirit lives on.

### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/looking_backward_se/chapters/xxviii)

Mentioned as the daughter of the man who orders Julian removed during the dinner argument.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/looking_backward_se/characters/edith_bartlett
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/looking_backward_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/looking_backward_se/characters