# Betty Higden — Our Mutual Friend character guide

> Betty Higden in Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Betty Higden, Mrs. Higden, Betty, old Betty

**First appearance:** 0006-vi-cut-adrift

## Snapshot

A proud, tireless old woman who has buried her own and taken in orphans, Betty Higden would rather walk the roads selling her knitting than be bricked up in a workhouse.

## Who they are

Betty scrapes a living by folding and stitching, keeping Sloppy and little Johnny as her household, and she speaks of the Union with a horror that is both terror and principle. When Johnny dies and Sloppy will not leave her to better himself, she resolves to run away from the boy she loves rather than stand in his light. Her fierce, self-punishing independence makes her the novel's sharpest rebuke to official charity.

## In the story

### [Minders and Reminders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xvi-minders-and-reminders)

A poor but resolute old woman, caring for Sloppy and two small children; receives Mrs. Boffin's visit.

### [In Which the Orphan Makes His Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/ix-in-which-the-orphan-makes-his-will)

Johnny's devoted caretaker, who reluctantly agrees to let him be moved to the hospital.

### [Strong of Purpose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xiv-strong-of-purpose)

Determined to earn her own living rather than accept charity; prepares to travel and work in market-gardens.

### [The End of a Long Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/viii-the-end-of-a-long-journey)

The protagonist of the chapter, an old woman fleeing the workhouse and seeking a dignified death in nature.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/betty_higden
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters