# Ally Hawes — Summer character guide

> Ally Hawes in Summer by Edith Wharton.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Ally, the Hawes, Poor Ally, the tenderhearted Ally, Miss Ally Hawes, the faithful Ally

**First appearance:** 0001-ii

## Snapshot

The village's cleverest needlewoman and Charity's wistful, loyal friend, always ready with a dress to try on and admiration to spare.

## Who they are

Ally Hawes sews the garlands and sleeves for other girls' triumphs and watches Charity with open, unresentful admiration. She is the tenderhearted constant in a town of small cruelties, the friend who notices and asks and keeps asking. Her loyalty gives Charity a mirror of ordinary village life, and the contrast between the two women sharpens what Charity is risking when she reaches for something more.

## Relationships

### [Charity Royall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters/charity_royall)

_friendship_

Ally is Charity's close friend and confidante, sharing a bond of mutual support and shared hardship in the small town.

### [Lucius Harney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters/lucius_harney)

_social_

Ally is a quiet admirer of Lucius, but their interactions are limited and she remains on the periphery of his world.

### [Julia Hawes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters/julia_hawes)

_family_

Ally is Julia's devoted sister, torn between love for Julia and shame over her sister's immoral life.

### [Charity Royall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters/charity_royall)

_friendship_

Ally is Charity's close friend and confidante, sharing a bond of mutual support and shared hardship in the small town.

### [Charity Royall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters/charity_royall)

_friendship_

Ally is Charity's close friend and confidante, sharing a bond of mutual support and shared hardship in the small town.

### [Lucius Harney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters/lucius_harney)

_social_

Ally is a quiet admirer of Lucius, but their interactions are limited and she remains on the periphery of his world.

### [Julia Hawes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters/julia_hawes)

_family_

Ally is Julia's devoted sister, torn between love for Julia and shame over her sister's immoral life.

### [Lucius Harney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters/lucius_harney)

_social_

Ally is a quiet admirer of Lucius, but their interactions are limited and she remains on the periphery of his world.

## In the story

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

Mentioned as a seamstress supporting herself and her mother after her sister Julia's departure.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/chapters/vii)

Mentioned as the sister of Julia Hawes.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/chapters/ix)

Ally helps Charity with her new hat and shares the story of her sister Julia's visit to Dr. Merkle in Nettleton, serving as a cautionary contrast to Charity's innocence.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/chapters/xi)

Seen approaching the Royall house, prompting Charity's flight to avoid facing her and the gossip of North Dormer.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/chapters/xii)

Participates in the Old Home Week sewing; produces the white satin shoes from her trunk, which Charity suspects came from Annabel Balch.

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/chapters/xv)

Visits Charity and reveals that Harney is likely engaged to Annabel Balch; confronts Charity about her relationship.

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

Referenced as the maker of the pretty chemise that Charity leaves on the table as payment for the bread.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/chapters/xviii)

Mentioned by Charity as the one who will make her clothes.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters/ally_hawes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters