Sense and Sensibility · Character
Mr. Palmer
Mrs. Palmer's gruff, sardonic husband, a man of Epicurean tastes and conceit who is courteous to strangers but casually rude to his own family.
supporting
Also known as Palmer
First appearance: Chapter XX
As a supporting figure in Sense and Sensibility, Mr. Palmer is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Depicted as droll and ill-humored, but Elinor suspects his behavior is a bid for distinction.
Mr. Palmer arrives in the novel as a gentleman of fashion and self-regard, perfectly civil to visitors yet openly contemptuous of his wife and mother-in-law. Elinor finds him capable of pleasant company, spoiled only by his excessive opinion of his own superiority, his nice eating, and his idle mornings at billiards. His selfishness and conceit serve as a foil to Edward Ferrars's generous temper, sharpening Elinor's appreciation for the man she quietly loves.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Character Web
14 connectionsA slice of how Mr. Palmer sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Social
- Family
- Other
Character groups
- Romantic Entanglements & Conflicts
- Family, Gossip & Social Circle
- Protagonist
+9 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this scene, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Willoughby, who has previously wronged Mariann…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Elinor Dashwood
social · ambivalent
Elinor is a patient acquaintance of the rude and sarcastic Mr. How this plays out →
- Mrs. Jennings
family · negative
- Elinor Dashwood
social · ambivalent
Elinor is a patient acquaintance of the rude and sarcastic Mr. How this plays out →
- Mrs. Jennings
family · negative
- Mrs. Jennings
family · negative
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Mr. Palmer in Chapter XXIn the story
Mr. Palmer appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Palmer unlock in the free preview.
See Mr. Palmer in Chapter XX