# Aunt Bessie Smail — Main Street character guide

> Aunt Bessie Smail in Main Street by Sinclair Lewis.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Aunt Bessie, an Aunt Bessie

**First appearance:** 0001-main-street

## Who they are

Carol's aunt who raised her after her parents' death.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/iv)

Referred to as Mrs. Kennicott; she is delicate, bred, and full of wonder, and she reassures Carol about her marriage.

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

Carol spends a week with Kennicott's mother while he fishes.

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

Intrudes on Carol's privacy, offers unsolicited advice, and criticizes her housekeeping, cooking, and religious attendance.

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

Carries gossip about the Bjornstams to Carol, adding to her embarrassment.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/viii)

Referenced as one of those who tell Carol she should be satisfied with her home and son.

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

Aunt Bessie disapproves of Carol's decision to sleep separately, viewing it as a threat to marital norms.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/iv)

Visits to advise on housekeeping and later joins in pressuring Carol toward a practical, unadorned house.

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

Accompanies Mrs. Bogart and scolds Carol for her 'wicked' retort.

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

Aunt Bessie fusses over trivial matters and joins in the gossip about Valborg, criticizing his behavior in church and reinforcing the town's judgmental attitudes.

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

Observes Carol and Erik from her window with Mrs. Bogart, their stares described as those of automatons.

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

Aunt Bessie tries to pry into Carol's affairs and hints at Kennicott's possible infidelity.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/iv)

Aunt Bessie attempts to catechize Carol about Erik's disappearance, but is silenced by Kennicott's sharp rebuke.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/v)

Takes care of Hugh during Carol's absence.

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

Visits Carol, hinting that she should settle down and be satisfied.

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

Wails and comments extensively about Hugh going with Carol.

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

Referenced in Carol's thoughts about domesticity and the fussing she associates with her.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/chapters/iv)

Offers well-meaning but intrusive gestures, such as bringing wild-grape jelly, and Carol recognizes the tragedy of old age in her need to be needed.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/characters/aunt_bessie
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/main_street_se/characters