Mr. Britling Sees It Through · Character

Mrs. Britling

Britling's wife, the steady domestic center of Matching's Easy, whose quiet competence holds the household together while her husband's mind runs riot.

supporting

Also known as Mrs. ¬†Britling

First appearance: Book I: Matching’s Easy at Ease

As a supporting figure in Mr. Britling Sees It Through, Mrs. Britling is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Mrs. Britling in Book I: Matching’s Easy at Ease Book page

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Mrs. Britling manages the house, the meals, and the small daily decencies that keep family life going even as the war intrudes on everything. She shares her husband's grief over Hugh but carries it with a reticence that contrasts with his voluble anguish. Her presence grounds the novel's abstractions in the ordinary texture of a marriage under strain, reminding the reader what is actually at stake in all the talk.

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

See Mrs. Britling in Book I: Matching’s Easy at Ease

Character Web

18 connections

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

Relationship types

Social
Family
Other

Character groups

Central characters and family
Protagonist
Minor and historical figures

+13 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it represents the emotional and psychological peak of Direck’s int…

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Relationships

Mr. Direck
social · positive
Mr. Britling
family · ambivalent
Mr. Britling
family · ambivalent
Mr. Direck
social · positive

Mr. Direck
Mr. Direck is a polite guest and acquaintance of Mrs. Britling, maintaining cordial but distant relations.
Mr. Britling
Mr. Britling and Mrs. Britling are married, their relationship characterized by enduring love but also emotional distance due to his work.
Mr. Britling
Mr. Britling and Mrs. Britling are married, their relationship characterized by enduring love but also emotional distance due to his work.
Mr. Direck
Mr. Direck is a polite guest and acquaintance of Mrs. Britling, maintaining cordial but distant relations.

Relationship notes

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

See Mrs. Britling in Book I: Matching’s Easy at Ease

In the story

Mrs. Britling appears across 37 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Book I: Matching’s Easy at Ease
Mr. Britling's wife, part of the household and involved in the daily life of Matching's Easy.
§ 8
Tall, freckled woman with pretty bright brown hair and preoccupied brown eyes; welcomes Mr. Direck with a handshake.
§ 9
Hostess at the head of the table, managing the meal and conversing with Mr. Direck.
§ 7
Shows Mr. Direck the garden and roses, discusses Miss Corner, and organizes a dressing-up supper.
Mr. Britling in Soliloquy
Described as a serene, dignified woman who has quietly endured the loss of her husband's love, focusing on household and children.
§ 3
Depicted as calm, defensive, and practical, she has made a home out of Mr. Britling's impulses but has long realized his heart has escaped her. She finds satisfaction in secondary things.
§ 4
Mr. Britling's wife, whom he is tender about and whose honour he feels he must protect from Mrs. Harrowdean's attacks.
§ 7
Her carnations are eaten by cows due to Mr. Britling's neglect of a gatepost.
V: The Coming of the Day
Mentioned as having bought the squirrel Bill for the boys; her unexpressed criticisms of Hugh are noted.
§ 5
Mentioned as being coolly kind to Hugh, with unexpressed criticisms that contribute to Mr. Britling's protective feelings.
§ 12
Present at the tea and confirms the news of war, stating 'It’s war!'
§ 13
Walks back with Mr. Britling through the village, startled by his sudden outburst.
I: Onlookers
Mr. Britling's wife, present at breakfast and during discussions about the war.
§ 1
Comes out to the gate to meet Mrs. Faber alongside her husband.
§ 2
Lethargic in response to the panic, she tries to excuse Mrs. Faber's behavior as concern for her children.
§ 3
Shares the newspaper with Mr. Britling by the bed of begonias near the cedar tree.
§ 4
Mentioned as joint holder of the investment list with Mr. Britling.
§ 5
Approaches Mr. Britling with concerns about food shortages and the household's stores, listens skeptically to his philosophical musings, and glances at her sunlit house.
§ 6
Present at the lunch table, greeted by Mr. Carmine.
§ 10
Amused by the scene, she fetches her camera and takes a snapshot of the detachment.
§ 16
Presides over tea with an 'unwonted expression of anxiety' as Mr. Britling reads the despatch.
II: Taking Part
At dinner, she is preoccupied with household matters, giving her husband only half an ear.
§ 3
Thinking of household matters, giving only half an ear to her husband's talk.
§ 5
Walks with Teddy in the rose garden, part of the family group welcoming him in uniform.
§ 8
Attends classes to qualify for Red Cross work and helps with the refugees.
§ 11
Feeds and cares for the billeted soldiers, adapting to the new wartime domesticity.
§ 9
Helps Mr. Britling pack and drives him to the station.
IV: In the Web of the Ineffective
Present at Claverings with Mr. Britling; mentioned as accompanying him.
§ 5
Has tea set out on the lawn under the blue cedar for Teddy and Letty's visit.
§ 7
Shows motherly concern, asking practical questions about Hugh's outfit and winter needs.
§ 8
Mentioned only as the source of Hugh's delicate eyebrow, exactly like his mother's.
§ 15
Present at Claverings with Mr. Britling, though not actively participating in the discussion.
§ 20
Mr. Direck takes his leave of her.
§ 22
Seen coming down the alley between the roses; Mr. Britling avoids telling her about the telegram.
§ 23
Learns of Hugh's death from Mr. Britling's telegram; struggles with what to say to her husband.
§ 24
She makes the supreme effort of her life to comfort her husband, battling her own inhibitions and timidity.
Book III: The Testament of Matching’s Easy
Supports her husband through the emotional strain of the war.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Mrs. Britling in Book I: Matching’s Easy at Ease