# Grannie — My Brilliant Career character guide > Grannie in My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** grannie, Grannie, dear old grannie **First appearance:** 0014-ix-aunt-helen-s-recipe ## Snapshot Sybylla's formidable grandmother, mistress of Caddagat, who loves her granddaughter fiercely while believing marriage is a girl's proper business. ## Who they are Grannie presides over Caddagat with old-fashioned authority, generous to those she loves and unbending in her views: she thinks Sybylla should marry any man who is a good financial match. She is genuinely kind—dispatching unwanted suitors, feeding neighbors, taking Sybylla everywhere—yet her conventional expectations press on the girl like a wall. Her warmth and her limitations together define the world Sybylla must escape or submit to. ## Relationships ### [Frank Hawden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/frank_hawden) _family_ A close grandparent-grandchild relationship, with Grannie often indulgent and protective of Frank. ### [Sybylla Penelope Melvyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/sybylla_penelope_melvyn) _family_ A warm but occasionally critical grandmother-granddaughter bond, with Grannie representing traditional values. ### [Everard Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/everard_grey) _social_ A respectful acquaintance, with Everard Grey often visiting or interacting with Grannie in social settings. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/mother) _family_ A mother-daughter relationship marked by generational tension and differing views on propriety. ### [Sybylla Penelope Melvyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/sybylla_penelope_melvyn) _family_ A warm but occasionally critical grandmother-granddaughter bond, with Grannie representing traditional values. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/mother) _family_ A mother-daughter relationship marked by generational tension and differing views on propriety. ### [Frank Hawden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/frank_hawden) _family_ A close grandparent-grandchild relationship, with Grannie often indulgent and protective of Frank. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/mother) _family_ A mother-daughter relationship marked by generational tension and differing views on propriety. ### [Everard Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/everard_grey) _social_ A respectful acquaintance, with Everard Grey often visiting or interacting with Grannie in social settings. ### [Everard Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/everard_grey) _social_ A respectful acquaintance, with Everard Grey often visiting or interacting with Grannie in social settings. ## In the story ### [My Brilliant Career](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/my-brilliant-career) Sybylla's grandmother, a figure from her early childhood memories. ### [VII: Was E’er a Rose Without Its Thorn?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/vii-was-e-er-a-rose-without-its-thorn) Sybylla's grandmother at Caddagat, whom Sybylla loves dearly; the letter mentions her intention to help Sybylla marry. ### [VIII: Possum Gully Left Behind. Hurrah! Hurrah!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/viii-possum-gully-left-behind-hurrah-hurrah) Welcomes Sybylla with a warm hug; fusses over her comfort and admires her hair; shows a practical and affectionate nature. ### [IX: Aunt Helen's Recipe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/ix-aunt-helen-s-recipe) Grannie is mentioned as being busy with Aunt Helen, and her dresses are made by Aunt Helen. ### [X: Everard Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/x-everard-grey) Disapproves of Sybylla's playful behavior with Everard but is softened by Uncle Julius's teasing. ### [XI: Yah!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xi-yah) Firmly opposes the stage as a profession for Sybylla, upholding conservative values about women's roles. ### [One Grand Passion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xii-one-grand-passion) Interviews Sybylla about Frank Hawden's proposal and her behavior, ultimately supporting Sybylla's decision. ### [XIII: He](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xiii-he) Greets Harold warmly as 'Harold, my boy' and monopolizes him with business talk. ### [XIV: Principally Letters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xiv-principally-letters) Sybylla helps her with accounts and business letters; she is kind and generous. ### [When the Heart Is Young](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xv-when-the-heart-is-young) Consents to Sybylla's visit to Five-Bob Downs. ### [XVII: Idylls of Youth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xvii-idylls-of-youth) Disapproves of Sybylla's tomboyish ways, makes rules about unsaddling horses, and insists Frank Hawden accompany Sybylla on the drive. ### [XIX: The 9th of November 1896](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xix-the-9th-of-november-1896) Attends the races with the family, leaves early and allows Sybylla to stay at Five-Bob Downs. ### [XXI: My Unladylike Behaviour Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxi-my-unladylike-behaviour-again) Catches Sybylla standing on Harold's back, scolds her as 'immodest, bold, bad hussy,' and confines her to her room with fasting and religious reading. ### [Sweet Seventeen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxii-sweet-seventeen) Oversees the household and expresses concern over Sybylla's behavior, maintaining her role as a matriarch. ### [XXV: Because?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxv-because) Unaware of the romantic tension between Sybylla and Harold; goes with aunt Helen and uncle Jay-Jay to say goodbye to the Beecham ladies. ### [XXVI: Boast Not Thyself of Tomorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxvi-boast-not-thyself-of-tomorrow) Organizes the shooting party; receives mother's letter and insists Sybylla must go to M'Swat's. ### [My Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxvii-my-journey) Packed a large box of dainties for Sybylla's journey, providing a picnic for the train ride. ### [XXIX: To Life (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxix-to-life-continued) Receives Sybylla's letter and replies, expressing willingness to take her back but deferring to Sybylla's mother's decision. ### [XXX: Where Ignorance Is Bliss, ’Tis Folly to Be Wise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxx-where-ignorance-is-bliss-tis-folly-to-be-wise) Corresponds with Sybylla, sending news of Harry Beecham and the Australasian, and advises Sybylla to be reconciled to her situation. ### [Mr. M’Swat and I Have a Bust-Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxxi-mr-m-swat-and-i-have-a-bust-up) Writes to Sybylla with news of Harold Beecham's misfortunes and departure. ### [XXXIV: But Absent Friends Are Soon Forgot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxxiv-but-absent-friends-are-soon-forgot) Writes letters about Gertie's good looks and Harold's interest in her. ### [XXXVII: He That Despiseth Little Things, Shall Fall Little by Little](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxxvii-he-that-despiseth-little-things-shall-fall-little-by-little) Writes to Sybylla expressing concern over Harold's sudden travel and questioning his sanity. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/ii) Grannie writes to Sybylla expressing confusion and concern over Harold's sudden travel and his motives. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/grannie - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters