# Shirley Keeldar — Shirley character guide > Shirley Keeldar in Shirley by Charlotte Brontë. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Shirley Keeldar, Miss Keeldar, detained Miss Keeldar, Miss Shirley, Shirley Keeldar, Shirley, Keeldar, the kindhearted Shirley, Henry Shirley Keeldar, that Shirley, XIV Shirley **First appearance:** 0010-xi-fieldhead ## Snapshot A wealthy, imperious young heiress whose teasing wit and fearless tongue unsettle the Yorkshire gentlemen as much as her beauty and fortune attract them. ## Who they are Shirley has inherited Fieldhead and its rents, and she wields both her money and her sharp observations with the same unembarrassed hand. She delights in provoking Caroline about Robert Moore, in entertaining the local clergy, and in letting her great dog Tartar terrify her callers. Her independence and her refusal to be managed make her a startling anomaly in a district where women are expected to be docile, and her friendship with Caroline becomes the axis on which the novel's middle turns. ## Relationships ### [Caroline Helstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/caroline_helstone) _friendship_ Caroline and Shirley are close friends and confidantes, supporting each other through romantic and personal trials. ### [Louis Moore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/louis_moore) _romantic_ Louis and Shirley share a passionate, intellectual romance that overcomes class barriers and family opposition. ### [Caroline Helstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/caroline_helstone) _friendship_ Caroline and Shirley are close friends and confidantes, supporting each other through romantic and personal trials. ### [Caroline Helstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/caroline_helstone) _friendship_ Caroline and Shirley are close friends and confidantes, supporting each other through romantic and personal trials. ### [Louis Moore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/louis_moore) _romantic_ Louis and Shirley share a passionate, intellectual romance that overcomes class barriers and family opposition. ### [Louis Moore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/louis_moore) _romantic_ Louis and Shirley share a passionate, intellectual romance that overcomes class barriers and family opposition. ## In the story ### [Fieldhead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xi-fieldhead) The young heiress of Fieldhead, recently come of age. She is lively, independent, and engages in spirited conversation with Mr. Helstone about trade and Robert Moore. ### [XII: Shirley and Caroline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xii-shirley-and-caroline) Actively seeks Caroline's company, reveals her independent and spirited nature, and shares her love of nature and poetry. ### [XIII: Further Communications on Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xiii-further-communications-on-business) Shirley is seen in a pensive, dreamy mood, crying from an excess of emotion. She later walks with Robert Moore and proposes a summer trip to the Highlands to cheer Caroline. ### [XIV: Shirley Seeks to Be Saved by Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xiv-shirley-seeks-to-be-saved-by-works) Resolves to undertake charitable works to ease her conscience as a landowner; organizes a meeting with clergy to plan relief. ### [XV: Mr. Donne's Exodus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xv-mr-donne-s-exodus) Hosts the luncheon, discusses Robert Moore with Caroline, and calms Tartar after the curates provoke him. ### [XVI: Whitsuntide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xvi-whitsuntide) Shirley organizes the Whitsuntide fund and leads the Briarfield children in the procession. She shows good-natured forgiveness toward Donne and playful disdain for Malone. ### [The School Feast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xvii-the-school-feast) Shirley actively manages the seating to ensure Robert Moore sits near her, showing her interest and wilfulness. She engages in a private, animated conversation with Moore. ### [Which the Genteel Reader Is Recommended to Skip, Low Persons Being Here Introduced](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xviii-which-the-genteel-reader-is-recommended-to-skip-low-persons-being-here-introduced) Debates with Joe Scott about women's involvement in politics and religion; shares her visionary interpretation of Eve and nature with Caroline. ### [XIX: A Summer Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xix-a-summer-night) Shirley stays at the rectory as a guardian, arms herself with pistols, and restrains Caroline from approaching Robert during the crisis. ### [Tomorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xx-tomorrow) Shirley sleeps peacefully after the attack, then rises with energy and purpose. She clears the mill yard, scolds Mrs. Pryor for inaction, and later teases Moore about men's condescension toward women. ### [Mrs. Pryor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxi-mrs-pryor) Apologizes to Mrs. Pryor for her hasty words and reconciles with her, but Mrs. Pryor remains self-critical. ### [Two Lives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxii-two-lives) Depicted as lively and engaged with her estate, animals, and reading, contrasting with the stereotypical lovelorn maiden. ### [The Valley of the Shadow of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxiv-the-valley-of-the-shadow-of-death) Visits Caroline during her illness. ### [XXVI: Old Copybooks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxvi-old-copybooks) Returns to Briarfield and visits Caroline; reveals she guessed the secret of Caroline's parentage; shows a reserved and communicative side; treats Louis Moore with distance despite their past. ### [The First Bluestocking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxvii-the-first-bluestocking) Defies her uncle's demand to marry Samuel Wynne, asserting her right to love and esteem. Later, she is courted by Sir Philip Nunnely and shows concern for Louis Moore's illness. ### [Phoebe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxviii-phoebe) Experiences a sudden change in mood and health, becoming quiet and withdrawn; confides in Mr. Moore about her fears and seeks his promise of support. ### [XXIX: Louis Moore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxix-louis-moore) Though absent, her presence is felt through her belongings and Louis's detailed thoughts about her character and beauty. ### [Rushedge—A Confessional](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxx-rushedge-a-confessional) Discussed as the wealthy heiress Moore lost; Yorke notes her blushes at Moore's name and her playful, pleasant demeanor with others. ### [Uncle and Niece](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxxi-uncle-and-niece) Rejects Sir Philip Nunnely's proposal and engages in a fierce argument with her uncle about her choice of husband. ### [XXXV: Wherein Matters Make Some Progress, but Not Much](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxxv-wherein-matters-make-some-progress-but-not-much) Discussed at length; Caroline asserts that Shirley is sincerely in love with someone in Briarfield, though she has not confessed it directly. ### [Written in the Schoolroom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxxvi-written-in-the-schoolroom) Engages in a witty and combative conversation with Louis; rejects Sir Philip Nunnely; admits she loves Louis. ### [The Winding-Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-winding-up) Marries Louis Moore; described as grand and bonny at the wedding. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/endnotes) Referenced in French notes about poetry and character. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/shirley_keeldar - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters