# Mrs. Downe — Short Fiction character guide

> Mrs. Downe in Short Fiction by Thomas Hardy.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Downe, the kindly Mrs. Downe, the late Mrs. Downe, poor Downe, Mrs. Downe

**First appearance:** 0002-destiny-and-a-blue-cloak

## Who they are

A kind woman whose life is marked by tragedy.

## In the story

### [Fellow-Townsmen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/fellow-townsmen)

A central figure in the social dynamics of the town.

### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/i)

Warmly welcomes her husband home, showing affection that Barnet envies.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/iii)

Emily Downe proposes to call on Mrs. Barnet to gain her confidence and help resolve the conflict.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/iv)

Accompanies Mrs. Barnet to the shore; is capsized in a boat and feared drowned, having fleeted out to sea.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/v)

Drowns while trying to rescue Mrs. Barnet; her body is recovered after three hours, and she is declared dead.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/vi)

Deceased; Downe laments her loss and plans an elaborate tomb for her.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/viii)

Downe's late wife, whose tomb is reduced to a common headstone.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/xvii)

Not present in this chapter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/mrs_downe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters