The Book of Khalid · Character

Mrs. Gotfry

A shrewd, warm-hearted New York employer and Bahaist who sees in Khalid a potential apostle, and quietly steers his restless genius toward her cause.

supporting

Also known as The astute Mrs. Gotfry, the good Mrs. Gotfry

First appearance: i probing the trivial

As a supporting figure in The Book of Khalid, Mrs. Gotfry is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Meets Khalid at the Grand Hotel; described as a beautiful but lame woman who discusses Babism with him and invites him to her home.

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In V: Union and Progress: Meets Khalid at the Grand Hotel; described as a beautiful but lame woman who discusses Babism with him and invites him to her home. Later, in VI: Revolutions Within and Without: Accompanies…

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See Mrs. Gotfry in i probing the trivial

Character Web

10 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Immigrant Community Anchors
Protagonist
Institutional and Symbolic Figures

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional/psychological peak occurs in the narrator’s disillusioned pivot from the external, chaotic strug…

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In the story

Mrs. Gotfry appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

V: Union and Progress
Meets Khalid at the Grand Hotel; described as a beautiful but lame woman who discusses Babism with him and invites him to her home.
VI: Revolutions Within and Without
Accompanies Khalid to Damascus, sharing intimate conversations and experiencing a spiritual awakening through Khalid's words.
A Dream of Empire
Also unable to sleep, she welcomes Khalid into her room, where they discuss his vision of a new Saladin and an Arab empire.
VIII: Adumbrations
Tends to Khalid's wounds and participates in planning his escape.
The Stoning and Flight
Nurses Khalid, advises against martyrdom, and accompanies him in flight.
X: The Desert
Staying at al-Hayat, a stone's throw from the camp, and involved in the child's care.
Al-Khatimah
Bids farewell to Khalid, prophesying his future as a Bahaist apostle and her return within three months.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mrs. Gotfry in i probing the trivial

See Mrs. Gotfry in V: Union and Progress