# Nellie Robertson — Moving the Mountain character guide

> Nellie Robertson in Moving the Mountain by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Ellen, Ellen Robertson, Nell

**First appearance:** 0001-moving-the-mountain

## Who they are

The brisk, unflappable sister who finds her long-lost brother on a Tibetan plateau and must gently re-teach him the world he left behind.

## Relationships

### [Brother John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/brother_john)

_romantic_

Brother John and Nellie share a deep, intimate bond, likely a romantic relationship or strong mutual affection.

### [Owen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/owen)

_friendship_

Nellie and Owen are friends or allies, possibly with Owen supporting Nellie's interests.

### [Uncle Jake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/uncle_jake)

_family_

Nellie and Uncle Jake are family, possibly with Uncle Jake as an elder or guardian, and Nellie as a younger relative.

### [Mrs. Talbot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/mrs_talbot)

_social_

Mrs. Talbot and Nellie are acquaintances, possibly with a social or community connection.

### [Cousin John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/cousin_john)

_family_

Cousin John and Nellie are relatives, with a familial bond and possibly some romantic undertones.

### [Aunt Dorcas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/aunt_dorcas)

_family_

Aunt Dorcas and Nellie are family, with Aunt Dorcas possibly acting as a maternal figure or caretaker.

### [Brother John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/brother_john)

_romantic_

Brother John and Nellie share a deep, intimate bond, likely a romantic relationship or strong mutual affection.

### [Brother John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/brother_john)

_romantic_

Brother John and Nellie share a deep, intimate bond, likely a romantic relationship or strong mutual affection.

### [Aunt Dorcas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/aunt_dorcas)

_family_

Aunt Dorcas and Nellie are family, with Aunt Dorcas possibly acting as a maternal figure or caretaker.

### [Uncle Jake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/uncle_jake)

_family_

Nellie and Uncle Jake are family, possibly with Uncle Jake as an elder or guardian, and Nellie as a younger relative.

### [Cousin John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/cousin_john)

_family_

Cousin John and Nellie are relatives, with a familial bond and possibly some romantic undertones.

### [Mrs. Talbot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/mrs_talbot)

_social_

Mrs. Talbot and Nellie are acquaintances, possibly with a social or community connection.

## In the story

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

John's sister, who found him in Tibet and is now guiding his re-education.

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

Attempts to explain the new world to John, describing a new religion of 'living' and a world that has 'come alive.' She is patient but firm in her explanations.

### [Chapter III: The New World Unveiled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/iii)

Reveals her marriage and family; explains the new social order.

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

Playfully scolds John for his outdated views and proudly explains the new economic system and the role of women in the food business.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/vi)

John's sister, who helps explain the new concepts and shows patience, though at times becomes slightly impatient with John's slow comprehension.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/vii)

John's sister, who explains the new social and economic systems, including residence groups and the treatment of animals.

### [Chapter IX: The New Education and Child-Culture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/ix)

Explains the principles of the new child-culture and education, showing pride in the system.

### [The New Education and the Arts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/x)

Explains the change in women's roles and the resulting societal progress.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/xi)

Provides John with background information on Frank and his wife, confirming their social acceptance and the nature of their relationship.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/xii)

Mentions she is about to resume her college position and encourages John to take a full year before settling on work.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/nellie_robertson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters