Miss Mole · Character

Wilfrid

A young man whose teasing flattery lands where he aims, he watches Miss Mole with an attention that unsettles the Corder household.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Wilfrid

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in Miss Mole, Wilfrid is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Absent from Hannah's first evening; Ruth implies he deliberately avoided it, and Robert Corder dismisses his engagements as unreliable.

In the storyVIIOpen this moment free

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Wilfrid moves through the Corders' circle as a visitor whose nonsense carries enough truth to sting or soothe, and he fixes his notice on Miss Mole rather than on Ethel, who cannot hide her hurt. His divided attention sharpens the quiet rivalry between the two women and exposes how much of the household's emotional weather runs through him. Ethel's attempts to read his fascination—and to dismiss Miss Mole as past the age of being attractive—make him the early measure of everyone's self-deceptions.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Wilfrid sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Wilfrid in i

Character Web

16 connections

A slice of how Wilfrid sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Family
Other

Character groups

Corder Family Circle
Community and Minor Figures
Protagonist

+11 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Closing

This excerpt marks the story's dramatic climax because Ruth’s secret excursion with Wilfrid represents the pea…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Miss Hannah Mole
friendship · positive
Wilfrid is the Corders' young son, and Miss Mole treats him with kindness and patience,… How this plays out →
Ethel Corder
family · negative
Miss Hannah Mole
friendship · positive
Wilfrid is the Corders' young son, and Miss Mole treats him with kindness and patience,… How this plays out →
Miss Hannah Mole
friendship · positive
Wilfrid is the Corders' young son, and Miss Mole treats him with kindness and patience,… How this plays out →
Ethel Corder
family · negative
Ethel Corder
family · negative

Miss Hannah Mole
Wilfrid is the Corders' young son, and Miss Mole treats him with kindness and patience, becoming a maternal figure to the lonely boy.
Ethel Corder
Ethel is dismissive and sometimes cruel to her younger brother Wilfrid, showing little sisterly affection.
Miss Hannah Mole
Wilfrid is the Corders' young son, and Miss Mole treats him with kindness and patience, becoming a maternal figure to the lonely boy.
Miss Hannah Mole
Wilfrid is the Corders' young son, and Miss Mole treats him with kindness and patience, becoming a maternal figure to the lonely boy.
Ethel Corder
Ethel is dismissive and sometimes cruel to her younger brother Wilfrid, showing little sisterly affection.
Ethel Corder
Ethel is dismissive and sometimes cruel to her younger brother Wilfrid, showing little sisterly affection.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Wilfrid in i

In the story

Wilfrid appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VII
Absent from Hannah's first evening; Ruth implies he deliberately avoided it, and Robert Corder dismisses his engagements as unreliable.
VIII
Wilfrid teases Ethel and Ruth, shows appreciation for Hannah's wit, and reveals his nonchalant, irreverent nature. He is a source of both joy and difficulty for Hannah.
IX
Compares Hannah to Mona Lisa, causing Ethel's jealousy; teases and flatters Hannah.
The Underground Struggles
Wilfrid is cheerful and teasing, calling Hannah 'Mona Lisa.' He is in trouble with Robert Corder and faces potential consequences, but remains lighthearted.
XI
Corder is annoyed by Wilfrid's idleness and amused superiority.
XII
Mentioned as an alien like Hannah, who uses her as a mirror for his own reflection.
Chapter XV
Teases Hannah affectionately, calls her 'Mona Lisa,' and shows concern for Ethel's whereabouts.
XVI
Wilfrid waits for Hannah in his doorway, teases her about her 'Mona Lisa' demeanor and her interaction with Mr. Samson, and discusses his own romantic 'preliminaries'.
XVII
Wilfrid teases Ethel and praises Hannah's conversational skills, calling her 'Mona Lisa'.
Chapter XXI
Sits with Hannah, discusses Howard's revolt against the ministry, and criticizes Robert Corder's need for control.
XXII
Mentioned as having enjoyed talking with Miss Mole, sparking Robert Corder's jealousy.
XXVI
Gives Hannah a brooch as a Christmas gift, arranged through Doris.
XXXIII
Returns home and is warmly greeted by Hannah; jokes about the kiss and tries to defuse tension; shows affection and loyalty toward Hannah.
XXXV
Wilfrid returns from a tense Sunday dinner and engages in lighthearted banter with Hannah, offering a moment of relief and discussing his desire to change lodgings.
XXXIX
Takes Ruth on a surprise outing to the pantomime; helps conceal the plan from Robert Corder.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Wilfrid unlock in the free preview.

See Wilfrid in i

See Wilfrid in VII