# Meelie Watkins — Oil! character guide

> Meelie Watkins in Oil! by Upton Sinclair.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Meelie, the Watkins, Meelie Watkins

**First appearance:** 0001-oil

## Who they are

A member of the Watkins family, possibly a daughter.

## In the story

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

The middle-sized girl who washes the dishes after the meal.

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

Brings the news that Excelsior Petroleum has leased the Carter ranch and is going to drill.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/v)

Has blossomed out with sophistication; bakes for the strikers and shares news about Eli's church and the strike.

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

Gossips about the strike's horrors with a mix of horror and youthful excitement, sharing news of injured and arrested workers.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/viii)

Helps with strike relief and drives supplies to headquarters.

### [VIII: The War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/viii-the-war)

Happy because a baby is on the way.

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

Marries a young derrick man to keep him exempt, chatters to Bunny about Ruth.

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

Happy because expecting a baby.

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

Part of the family excursion, excited about the trip.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/x)

Comments that Ruth is setting out to be an old maid due to grieving over Paul.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters/meelie_watkins
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters