# Dixon — North and South character guide > Dixon in North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mrs. Dixon, Only Dixon, Dear old Dixon, Miss Dixon, poor old Dixon **First appearance:** 0000-i-haste-to-the-wedding ## Snapshot The Hales' long-serving, sharp-tongued maid, who guards her own dignity, her soul's Protestant safety, and the family's secrets with equal ferocity. ## Who they are Dixon has spent years in service to the Hales and considers herself almost family — a claim she defends with bristling pride whenever Margaret's careless 'dear old Dixon' reminds her she is not quite fifty and not quite a lady. Her comic terror of Popery and the Inquisition wars with a secret curiosity about Spain, and her loyalty to the exiled Frederick runs deeper than any fear of conversion. In a household stripped bare by Mr. Hale's conscience, Dixon is the stubborn, human constant who keeps the tea poured and the doors bolted. ## Relationships ### [Margaret Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/margaret_hale) _professional_ A loyal servant-mistress relationship, with Dixon serving as a devoted family retainer who is fiercely protective of Margaret. ### [Mr. Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/mr_hale) _professional_ A loyal servant-employer relationship, with Dixon serving the Hale family faithfully but often criticizing Mr. Hale's impracticality. ### [Margaret Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/margaret_hale) _professional_ A loyal servant-mistress relationship, with Dixon serving as a devoted family retainer who is fiercely protective of Margaret. ### [Margaret Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/margaret_hale) _professional_ A loyal servant-mistress relationship, with Dixon serving as a devoted family retainer who is fiercely protective of Margaret. ### [Mr. Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/mr_hale) _professional_ A loyal servant-employer relationship, with Dixon serving the Hale family faithfully but often criticizing Mr. Hale's impracticality. ### [Mr. Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/mr_hale) _professional_ A loyal servant-employer relationship, with Dixon serving the Hale family faithfully but often criticizing Mr. Hale's impracticality. ## In the story ### [I: "Haste to the Wedding"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/i-haste-to-the-wedding) Dixon is mentioned as the maid who is busy with the wedding laces. Margaret speaks to her about the old nursery and the impending move to Naples. ### [IV: Doubts and Difficulties](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/iv-doubts-and-difficulties) Dixon is in a temper due to the interruption of a visitor and is busy with household duties. ### [V: Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/v-decision) Faithfully attends to Mrs. Hale, expresses concern about the family's situation, and reports Margaret's distress. ### [Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/vi-farewell) Dixon expresses her grief through crossness and irritability, particularly toward Mr. Hale, whom she blames for their upheaval. ### [IX: Dressing for Tea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/ix-dressing-for-tea) Complains about the laundry work; Margaret helps her to prevent her from burdening Mrs. Hale with her sorrows. ### [XVI: The Shadow of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xvi-the-shadow-of-death) Initially tries to exclude Margaret from her mother's care but is overruled; later softens and prepares coffee for Margaret. ### [XIX: Angel Visits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xix-angel-visits) Croaks forebodingly about Mrs. Hale's illness, adding to Margaret's anxiety. ### [XXI: The Dark Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxi-the-dark-night) Opens the door to Margaret and Mr. Hale with a fearful face; refuses to go to bed but falls asleep watching. ### [Mistakes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxiii-mistakes) Dixon delivers the water-bed from Mrs. Thornton and relays Thornton's inquiry about Margaret's health, prompting Margaret's defensive response. ### [XXIV: Mistakes Cleared Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxiv-mistakes-cleared-up) Dixon softly announces Mr. Thornton's arrival to Margaret, acting as a servant intermediary. ### [Comfort in Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxviii-comfort-in-sorrow) Promises to keep the house secure for Frederick's visit and comforts Mrs. Hale. ### [XXIX: A Ray of Sunshine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxix-a-ray-of-sunshine) Assists Mrs. Hale into the drawing-room and is mentioned as a reminder about sending Martha away before Frederick's visit. ### [XXX: Home at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxx-home-at-last) Assists Margaret in planning for Frederick's secret visit and sits with Mrs. Hale while she sleeps. ### [XXXI: “Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxi-should-auld-acquaintance-be-forgot) Dixon reveals her encounter with Leonards, who recognized her and made threatening remarks about Frederick. She urges action to protect Frederick from capture. ### [Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxiii-peace) Sobs openly at the funeral and speaks with Mr. Thornton afterward, but does not tell Margaret of his presence. ### [False and True](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxiv-false-and-true) Dixon is flustered when announcing the police inspector's arrival, showing concern for Margaret. ### [XXXV: Expiation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxv-expiation) Brings Margaret Frederick's letter and offers to get her breakfast. ### [XXXVII: Looking South](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxvii-looking-south) Grumbles about the Hales' habit of inviting lower-class visitors upstairs, but is mollified by Margaret's forbearance. ### [XLII: Alone! Alone!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xlii-alone-alone) Cries over Margaret's state, assists Mr. Bell, and later is curt with Mr. Thornton while boasting of the Harley Street household. ### [Something Wanting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xlvii-something-wanting) Returns from Milton with gossip about the Thorntons and Higginses, and expresses reluctance about a potential trip to Spain due to religious concerns. ### [XLVIII: “Ne’er to Be Found Again”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xlviii-ne-er-to-be-found-again) Offers to accompany Margaret to Oxford, though Margaret initially plans to go alone. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/dixon - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters