# Aunt Evelyn — Memoirs of a Foxhunting Man character guide > Aunt Evelyn in Memoirs of a Foxhunting Man by Siegfried Sassoon. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Evelyn **First appearance:** 0002-i-early-days ## Snapshot The narrator's unmarried aunt and guardian, whose world ends at calling distance and who would rather he were practical than mooning about by himself. ## Who they are Aunt Evelyn keeps a comfortable old house, two Persian cats, a garden, and a charitable interest in the village's old and rheumatic. She has an unexplained prejudice against school and a suspicion of her nephew's solitary habits, giving him a butterfly-net and a fretwork saw that go unused. Her limited radius and firm common sense frame the small world Sherston must eventually leave, and her quiet household is the home the war will take from him. ## In the story ### [Memoirs of a Foxhunting Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/memoirs-of-a-foxhunting-man) The narrator's guardian, who provides a stable but somewhat distant home life. ### [Early Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/i-early-days) George's aunt, who initially fusses over his riding but eventually allows him to go hunting. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/i) George's aunt who raises him, keeps him at home, and enforces social codes. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/ii) George's timid and easily influenced guardian, who is persuaded by Dixon to take up riding and later to buy a pony for George. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iii) Worries about the narrator after Rob Roy returns without him, then scolds him for his rudeness. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iv) George's aunt, who is protective and indecisive, particularly about his education and his riding, and who is seen gardening and discussing the new pony. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/vi) Relieved at George's safe return, listens to his hunting stories, and takes him to the dance. ### [The Flower Show Match](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/ii-the-flower-show-match) Welcomes George home, has been asked to judge vegetables and sweet peas at the Flower Show, and is a staunch Tory. ### [Home for the Holidays](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/i) Welcomes George home, has been asked to judge vegetables at the Flower Show. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/ii) George's aunt, who judges vegetables at the Flower Show and lends crockery for the Cricket Tea. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iii) The narrator's aunt, seen walking with Captain Huxtable and his wife at the Flower Show. ### [A Fresh Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iii-a-fresh-start) Remains tactfully silent about George's career, but senses his discontent after the point-to-point. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/i) George's aunt, who avoids influencing his career and excuses his idleness by saying he is 'none too strong'. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/ii) Unwell and tired, she tries to make tea on the train, but her nephew's disapproval and the other passengers' haughtiness upset her. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iii) Provides a stable home life; asks George about his plans and shares news of the Jumble Sale. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iv) Accepts Harkaway's arrival with approval, noting his 'benevolent eye.' ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as calling to her cats across the lawn while George reads Tennyson after the Dumborough races. ### [A Day with the Potford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iv-a-day-with-the-potford) Sherston's aunt, who listens to his hunting story but fails to share his enthusiasm, worrying instead about his safety. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iii) George's aunt; tries to engage with his hunting story but fails to grasp its significance, worrying instead about his safety. ### [At the Rectory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/v-at-the-rectory) Supports George's hunting by selling a ring to provide money for Cockbird and the hunt subscription. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iv) Supports George by selling a ring to pay for Cockbird and Hunt subscription, behaves generously. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned playing Handel on the piano in the drawing-room while the narrator meditates. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iii) Shows concern about the race, admires Cockbird, and is reassured by her faith in Dixon. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iv) George's aunt, who shows forced cheerfulness and anxiety before the race. ### [VII: Denis Milden as Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/vii-denis-milden-as-master) George's aunt; accompanies him to garden parties and enjoys croquet. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/i) Accompanies the narrator to garden parties and enjoys croquet. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iii) George's aunt, who is kept unaware of his visit to the Kennels until after the fact. ### [Migration to the Midlands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/viii-migration-to-the-midlands) George's aunt; left at Butley with Harkaway, but cordially approves of his move. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/i) George's aunt, left behind at Butley; she approves of his hunting plans. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iv) Receives weekly scribbles from the narrator; is affected by Miriam's death. ### [IX: In the Army](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/ix-in-the-army) Supports George's decision to join the Army but expresses sadness; works at a Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/i) George's aunt, who visits him at the bivouac and reminds him of the home he left behind. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/ii) Fusses over George and tries to dissuade him from dangerous service, inadvertently strengthening his resolve. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/iii) Sherston tells her of his commission; she supports him but expresses sorrow, and works at the VAD hospital. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/i) Mentioned in farewell scene at Victoria Station, with a desperately forced smile. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/v) Bitterly denounces Germans as 'hellhounds' during George's visit. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/chapters/vi) Recalled fondly during a memory of leave at her front gate. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/characters/aunt_evelyn - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_foxhunting_man_se/characters