# Mrs. Copperhead — Phoebe, Junior character guide

> Mrs. Copperhead in Phoebe, Junior by Margaret Oliphant.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the first Mrs. Copperhead, anxious Mrs. Copperhead, poor little tremulous Mrs. Copperhead

**First appearance:** 0001-ii-the-leading-member

## Snapshot

Clarence's timid, tremulous mother, forever anxious about her son's dignity and her husband's money, and never quite at ease in the grandeur she married into.

## Who they are

Mrs. Copperhead lives in the shadow of her wealthy, domineering husband and her Oxford-educated son, fussing over Clarence's comforts and his social standing with a nervousness that reads as both love and fear. She is the first Mrs. Copperhead—the qualifier itself hints at a household where her position is not entirely secure—and her haughty politeness to Phoebe is the reflex of a woman defending a rank she does not quite trust. Her anxiety about Clarence's prospects and his company quietly drives some of the social maneuvering that brings him into the Mays' orbit.

## In the story

### [The Leading Member](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/ii-the-leading-member)

The timid, refined former governess who married into wealth but remains anxious and submissive under her husband's ridicule.

### [Mr. Copperhead's Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/iii-mr-copperhead-s-ball)

The hostess, grateful for the Dorsets' kindness in her youth, but overshadowed by her husband's dominance.

### [IV: A Country Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/iv-a-country-party)

The former poor governess who married into immense wealth; her transformation is the central example discussed at breakfast.

### [VI: A Morning Call](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/vi-a-morning-call)

Nervous and tremulous, she tries to be hospitable while her husband dominates the scene, revealing her anxiety and lack of agency.

### [Shopping](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/vii-shopping)

Mrs. Copperhead is eager to buy gifts for Ursula's family, revealing her loneliness and desire for connection, but she is ultimately rejected by the Dorset cousins.

### [VIII: The Dorsets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/viii-the-dorsets)

Referred to as 'poor Mrs. Copperhead' by Sophy, who describes her husband as a 'bear, a brute of a husband.'

### [XI: Phoebe’s Preparations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xi-phoebe-s-preparations)

Anxious about Clarence's interest in Phoebe; sighs over his preference for 'amusing' girls.

### [Father and Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxvi-father-and-son)

Mentioned as the anxious mother who has little influence over her son, Clarence.

### [XLIV: Phoebe’s Last Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xliv-phoebe-s-last-trial)

Mentioned as having never shown such resolution as Clarence now displays.

### [XLV: The Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xlv-the-last)

The bridegroom's mother; sad and ill at ease; appears in lovely satin and diamonds; breaks down during the toast.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/first_mrs_copperhead
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters