# Mrs. Ward — The Case of Charles Dexter Ward character guide

> Mrs. Ward in The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H. P. Lovecraft.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Ward

**First appearance:** 0001-the-case-of-charles-dexter-ward

## Who they are

Charles's mother, who suffers from the strain of her son's mysterious transformation.

## Relationships

### [Charles Dexter Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/charles_dexter_ward)

_family_

Charles is the son of Mrs. Ward, and their relationship becomes strained as he grows secretive and obsessed with his ancestor.

### [Dr. Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/dr_allen)

_professional_

Dr. Allen is a mysterious physician hired by the Wards to care for Charles, but he is actually an ally of the resurrected Curwen.

### [Joseph Curwen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/joseph_curwen)

_psychological_

Curwen, through his possession of Charles, manipulates and terrifies Mrs. Ward, who senses her son is no longer himself.

### [Joseph Curwen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/joseph_curwen)

_psychological_

Curwen, through his possession of Charles, manipulates and terrifies Mrs. Ward, who senses her son is no longer himself.

### [Joseph Curwen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/joseph_curwen)

_psychological_

Curwen, through his possession of Charles, manipulates and terrifies Mrs. Ward, who senses her son is no longer himself.

### [Dr. Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/dr_allen)

_professional_

Dr. Allen is a mysterious physician hired by the Wards to care for Charles, but he is actually an ally of the resurrected Curwen.

## In the story

### [III: A Search and an Evocation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/chapters/iii-a-search-and-an-evocation)

Faints from fright due to Charles's activities; mentioned as not pleased with Curwen ancestry.

### [IV: A Mutation and a Madness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/chapters/iv-a-mutation-and-a-madness)

Her nerves snap under strain; she hears muffled sighs and sobbings from the attic; is sent to Atlantic City for recuperation, which likely saves her sanity.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/mrs_ward
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters