# Julia Hawes — Summer character guide

> Julia Hawes in Summer by Edith Wharton.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Julia, the shunned Julia, Julia Hawes

**First appearance:** 0003-iv

## Snapshot

Ally's fallen sister, painted and mocking, whose cold smile at a fireworks display shows Charity the fate North Dormer has in store for girls like her.

## Who they are

Julia Hawes left North Dormer under scandal and returns as a cautionary figure, her freshness gone and her face thinner under its paint. She recognizes Charity across the crowd and greets her with a sneer that cuts deeper than any sermon. Her presence at the fireworks turns a night of rapture into a warning about what the town does to women who break its rules.

## Relationships

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

_friendship_

Julia is Ally's sister and Charity's friend, but her secret life as a prostitute creates a strained and tragic dynamic.

### [Ally Hawes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters/ally_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_

Julia is Ally's sister and Charity's friend, but her secret life as a prostitute creates a strained and tragic dynamic.

### [Ally Hawes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters/ally_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_

Julia is Ally's sister and Charity's friend, but her secret life as a prostitute creates a strained and tragic dynamic.

## In the story

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

Mentioned as the eldest daughter who deserted her mother, leaving Ally to support the household.

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

Referenced as a cautionary example of a girl who was 'taken' and ended up in Nettleton.

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

Julia is mentioned by Ally as having visited Dr. Merkle in Nettleton, an experience that nearly killed her and serves as a warning to Charity.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/chapters/x)

Seen among the disreputable group, she mockingly calls out to Charity and laughs at her humiliation.

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

Referenced in Charity's thoughts as a girl who went out to earn a living and have her child cared for.

## Links

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