# Fanny Bowater — Memoirs of a Midget character guide > Fanny Bowater in Memoirs of a Midget by Walter de la Mare. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Bowater, Fanny, idle Fanny **First appearance:** 0005-i ## Snapshot Mrs. Bowater's brilliant, restless daughter — a lightning conductor of a girl who forgives easily, forgets easily, and leaves everyone else rusting in her wake. ## Who they are Slim as a mast and already gilded with Mrs. Monnerie's worldly polish, Fanny treats the narrator as confidante, rival, and audience by turns, dispensing fables and small cruelties with the same light hand. Her careless power over Mr. Crimble — and her refusal to be reached by him — exposes the gap between being adored and being known. Her restlessness pulls the narrator out of the Bowater household and into the wider, harder world. ## In the story ### [Beechwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/beechwood) Fanny is a central figure at Beechwood, whose actions and relationships are closely watched by the narrator. ### [The Night Watch and the Return of Fanny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/x) Fanny is revealed to be Mrs. Bowater's daughter, a schoolmistress returning home for Christmas; the narrator dreads her arrival and feels she may come 'between us.' ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xi) Visits the narrator, revealing she knows about the stargazing; her voice and manner both enchant and infuriate the narrator. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xii) Manipulates the tea invitation, confronts Miss M. about her sensitivity, and reveals her own frustration with the social situation, hinting at a deeper desire for genuine connection. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xiii) The narrator's love interest; she arrives late for their tryst, forgets her key, and kisses the narrator's veil before parting. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xiv) Absent during the snow; later discussed as clever, beautiful, and heartless; reveals her view on love ('I shall go blind'). ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xv) Returns from the parish concert, mocks the performers, sits by the fire, and later grows listless before leaving for school. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xvi) Absent; sends a postcard with a brief message; the narrator's longing for her dominates the chapter. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xvii) Absent but central to the narrator's thoughts and letters; the narrator dreams of her. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xviii) Fanny writes two letters to the narrator: one secret about Mr. Crimble's proposal and a decoy for her mother. She asks the narrator to deliver a message to Mr. Crimble. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xix) Mentioned in the narrator's reflections and in the secret collusion with Mr. Crimble. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xx) Her letter and message to Mr. Crimble are central; the narrator reflects on her motives and actions. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxi) Replies to the narrator's letter, dismissive and critical, and refuses to write to Mr. Crimble. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxii) Mentioned in the narrator's thoughts as she reflects on Fanny's face and recalls their shared moments; Fanny's letter remains hidden under a stone. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxiii) Sends a letter announcing she will not come home for the holidays, causing the narrator bitter disappointment. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxv) Mentioned as not coming home; the narrator wishes she could accompany her to Brunswick House and laments her absence. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxvi) Her letter is hidden under a stone in the garden; the narrator seeks to recover it. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxvii) Sends a letter full of temporizing and refusal, avoiding commitment to Mr. Crimble; her deceit contributes to the narrator's hardening. ### [Lyme Regis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/lyme-regis) Fanny is mentioned in the context of her return to Beechwood after the visit to Lyme Regis. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxix) Sends the narrator a book ('Holy Living and Dying') and a secret note requesting £15, unaware of Mr. Crimble's death. ### [The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxx) The narrator sends her money via Mr. Anon, desperate to help her. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxxi) Visits the narrator at night, desperate for money, and recounts her encounter with Mr. Anon at the house. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxxiii) Mentioned in comparison to Susan Monnerie; the narrator reflects on Fanny's beauty and the changes since their time at Beechwood. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxxv) Writes a letter to the narrator, expressing cynicism, self-awareness, and a desire to leave her current situation for a governess post. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxxvi) Referenced by Mr. Anon as having called him something, causing tension in the conversation. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxxviii) Visits Mrs. Monnerie's home; described as dark, pale, and self-possessed; the narrator advocates for her as a governess. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxxix) Fanny confides her ignorance about her parentage, her desire for ease and security, and her intention to please Mrs. Monnerie. She also declares the 'Crimble chapter' closed. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xl) The narrator's jealousy of Fanny's social success and her suspected betrayal of the narrator's private matters are central to the chapter. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xli) Fanny confronts the narrator about the letter addressed to her, accusing her of suspicion and spying. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xlii) Visits the narrator occasionally but seems bored; complains about the expense of living with the rich; her arm has supplanted Mrs. Monnerie's cane. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xliii) Seated between Percy and Captain Valentine, she recoils in horror when the narrator calls out to her during the collapse. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xlv) The narrator admires Fanny's courage, wishing she had a fraction of it. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xlvi) Reminded of Fanny by a sorrowful young woman in the audience. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xlvii) Appears suddenly at the end of the chapter, confronting the narrator during her solitary reflection. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xlviii) Confronts the narrator with accusations; announces her intention to marry Percy Maudlen; reveals her ambition to climb socially. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xlix) Fanny is present at tea, subtly undermining the narrator and Mrs. Monnerie. She mentions posting a letter and questions the propriety of the circus performer. ### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/l) Fanny is mentioned as having sent a note to Mr. Anon under Mrs. Monnerie's name. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/lii) Fanny slips back into the tent to watch the narrator, and the two share a moment of silent recognition before the narrator turns away. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/characters/fanny_bowater - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/characters