# Mrs. Groarty — Oil! character guide

> Mrs. Groarty in Oil! by Upton Sinclair.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** And Mrs. Groarty, poor Mrs. Groarty, The Groarty

**First appearance:** 0001-oil

## Who they are

A local woman, possibly a tenant or neighbor of the Rosses.

## In the story

### [II: The Lease](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/ii-the-lease)

Hosts the lease meeting; leads Bunny to the kitchen for water, warming to him as the son of J. Arnold Ross.

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

Hosts the lease meeting at her bungalow, dressed in a new yellow satin evening gown and displaying 'The Ladies' Guide' as a symbol of her aspirations.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iii)

A medium-lot owner who sarcastically points out that the new rule benefits corner lots and alley lots at the expense of others.

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

Challenges the Black family's concession, questioning the royalty on a ninety-five foot lot.

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

Hosts the meeting; Bunny distracts her with polite conversation to unlock the back door.

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

Aunt Allie, the wealthy relative Paul visits for food; described as wearing a shiny yellow satin robe.

### [III: The Drilling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iii-the-drilling)

A neighbor ruined by the Bonanza Syndicate collapse; Bunny visits her and sees her faded gentility.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iii)

Moved by Bunny's delicacy, shares a letter from Paul, tells the story of the Watkins family, and discusses oil lease offers.

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

Invests her bonus money in the failed Bonanza Syndicate, loses everything, and seeks Bunny's help to understand the scam.

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

Informs Bunny about the Watkins family's dire situation and shows him their picture.

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

Eunice's mother; she urges Bunny not to be 'hard-hearted' during Eunice's tantrums.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/ix)

Mentioned as Mrs. Hoyt, who gives away her clothing to the Salvation Army and buys expensive outfits.

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

Paul's aunt, recalled glaring at Mr. Hank and clenching her fists during the lease wrangle.

### [XXI: The Honeymoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/xxi-the-honeymoon)

Bunny and Rachel visit her bungalow, where she shows them legal papers about her lot and discusses her troubles.

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

Paul's aunt; Bunny and Rachel visit her bungalow, where she shows them the legal papers from the lease disputes.

## Links

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