Our Nig · Character

Aunt Abby

A quiet room, a listening ear, and the one steady kindness in Frado's life, Aunt Abby hears what others refuse to and remembers it.

supporting

Also known as good Aunt Abby, Abby

First appearance: iii a new home for me

As a supporting figure in Our Nig, Aunt Abby is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Finds Frado hiding, provides her with food, and sympathizes with her plight.

In the storyIV: A Friend for NigOpen this moment free

See Aunt Abby in IV: A Friend for Nig Book page

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Aunt Abby is the Bellmont household's conscience in a rocking chair, the relative whose quiet room becomes a refuge for both Frado and the ailing James. She listens to Frado's grief in the barn, contradicts the world's contempt for her, and resolves to take the girl home if her health returns. Her confidence and her promises matter because they show Frado, and the reader, that the cruelty around her is not the whole country's opinion.

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

See Aunt Abby in iii a new home for me

Character Web

14 connections

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

Relationship types

Friendship
Family
Rivalry

Character groups

Bellmont Household & Associates
Protagonist

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Frado’s potential l…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Frado
friendship · positive
Aunt Abby is a kind, protective ally to Frado, offering comfort and support against the… How this plays out →
Jim
family · positive
Mrs. Bellmont
rivalry · negative
Susan
family · positive
Jane
family · positive
Frado
friendship · positive
Aunt Abby is a kind, protective ally to Frado, offering comfort and support against the… How this plays out →
Susan
family · positive
Jim
family · positive
Frado
friendship · positive
Aunt Abby is a kind, protective ally to Frado, offering comfort and support against the… How this plays out →
Jim
family · positive
Mrs. Bellmont
rivalry · negative
Jane
family · positive

Frado
Aunt Abby is a kind, protective ally to Frado, offering comfort and support against the Bellmonts' cruelty.
Jim
Aunt Abby is Jim's sister, and they share a close, supportive bond.
Mrs. Bellmont
Aunt Abby and Mrs. Bellmont are sisters-in-law who are in constant conflict, with Abby opposing Mrs. Bellmont's cruelty.
Susan
Aunt Abby is Susan's sister-in-law, and they share a cordial, supportive relationship.
Jane
Aunt Abby is Jane's aunt, and she acts as a maternal figure and protector to Jane.
Frado
Aunt Abby is a kind, protective ally to Frado, offering comfort and support against the Bellmonts' cruelty.
Susan
Aunt Abby is Susan's sister-in-law, and they share a cordial, supportive relationship.
Jim
Aunt Abby is Jim's sister, and they share a close, supportive bond.
Frado
Aunt Abby is a kind, protective ally to Frado, offering comfort and support against the Bellmonts' cruelty.
Jim
Aunt Abby is Jim's sister, and they share a close, supportive bond.
Mrs. Bellmont
Aunt Abby and Mrs. Bellmont are sisters-in-law who are in constant conflict, with Abby opposing Mrs. Bellmont's cruelty.
Jane
Aunt Abby is Jane's aunt, and she acts as a maternal figure and protector to Jane.

Relationship notes

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

See Aunt Abby in iii a new home for me

In the story

Aunt Abby appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

IV: A Friend for Nig
Finds Frado hiding, provides her with food, and sympathizes with her plight.
Varieties
Provides spiritual guidance and takes Frado to evening meetings.
VII: Spiritual Condition of Nig
She converses with James about Frado's spiritual condition and the prejudice against people of color. She expresses hope for Frado's religious sensitivity and wishes she were away from Mrs. Bellmont.
Visitor and Departure
Instructs Frado in Christianity, takes her to meetings, and provides comfort and cordial after the beating.
IX: Death
Supports Frado spiritually, defies Mrs. Bellmont to visit James, intervenes during Frado's torture.
X: Perplexities.—Another Death
Aunt Abby sympathizes with Frado and Mr. Bellmont after Mary's death, but is disturbed by Frado's irreverent questions about Mary's fate.
XII: The Winding Up of the Matter
Has entered heaven.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Aunt Abby unlock in the free preview.

See Aunt Abby in iii a new home for me

See Aunt Abby in IV: A Friend for Nig