Our American Cousin · Character

Mary Meredith

The penniless orphan of Trenchard Manor whose gentle patience hides a claim to the estate she never dreamed of making.

major

Also known as poor Meredith, Mary Meredith, Mrs. Mountchessington, Mary, Mrs. Mountchessington Aside, Miss Mary, Miss Mary Meredith, Mrs. Mountchessington Miss Mary Meredith, Mrs. Mountchessington Rising, Mary Starting Aside, Mary Asa Trenchard, Mary The legatee, Mary Make, Mary Rough - spun , honest - hearted Asa Trenchard, Mary Poor Grandfather, Mary Mr. Trenchard, Sir Edward Trenchard Mary

First appearance: our american cousin

As a major figure in Our American Cousin, Mary Meredith is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Mary Meredith in our american cousin Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Asa Trenchard (romantic): Asa and Mary share a romantic relationship, with Asa courting her and eventually winning her love. With Florence Trenchard (friendship): Florence and Mary are close friends and confidantes, supporting each other through romantic and family troubles. With Sir Edward Trenchard (family): Mary is Sir Edward's daughter, and their relationship is strained due to his disapproval of her romance with Asa.

Continue beside the text

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

See Mary Meredith in our american cousin

Character Web

18 connections

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

Relationship types

Friendship
Romantic
Family
Social
Other

Character groups

Trenchard family and associates
Protagonist

+13 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Asa Trenchard’s vul…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Asa Trenchard
romantic · positive
Asa and Mary share a romantic relationship, with Asa courting her and eventually winning… How this plays out →
Florence Trenchard
friendship · positive
Sir Edward Trenchard
family · ambivalent
Lord Dundreary
social · ambivalent
Florence Trenchard
friendship · positive

Asa Trenchard
Asa and Mary share a romantic relationship, with Asa courting her and eventually winning her love.
Florence Trenchard
Florence and Mary are close friends and confidantes, supporting each other through romantic and family troubles.
Sir Edward Trenchard
Mary is Sir Edward's daughter, and their relationship is strained due to his disapproval of her romance with Asa.
Lord Dundreary
Lord Dundreary is a polite acquaintance of Mary, showing her mild flirtation but no serious intent.
Florence Trenchard
Florence and Mary are close friends and confidantes, supporting each other through romantic and family troubles.

Relationship notes

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

See Mary Meredith in our american cousin