# Rachel Curtis — The Clever Woman of the Family character guide > Rachel Curtis in The Clever Woman of the Family by Charlotte M. Yonge. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Rachel, Aunt Rachel, Miss Curtis, Miss Rachel, Miss Rachel Curtis **First appearance:** 0000-i-in-search-of-a-mission ## Snapshot A clever, impulsive young woman burning for a mission, whose schemes to do good collide with the small-town proprieties of her mother's world. ## Who they are Rachel Curtis is the restless intellect of the Curtis household, chafing against the ornamental role expected of a clergyman's daughter while her gentler sister Fanny drifts through life. She longs for serious work and seizes causes with more zeal than judgment, mortifying her family and testing her own convictions. Her hunger to be useful — and her prickly pride when thwarted — drives the novel's central questions about what cleverness is actually for. ## Relationships ### [Alick Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/alick_keith) _romantic_ Alick is deeply in love with Rachel, but she is initially oblivious and later conflicted about her feelings for him. ### [Fanny Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/fanny_temple) _friendship_ Fanny is Rachel's close friend and confidante, often trying to temper Rachel's impulsive and self-righteous tendencies. ### [Major Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/major_keith) _friendship_ Major Keith is a wise, older friend to Rachel, offering guidance and gently correcting her misguided philanthropic schemes. ### [Ermine Williams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/ermine_williams) _friendship_ Ermine is a quiet, sensible friend to Rachel, often serving as a moral compass and a source of calm in Rachel's turbulent plans. ### [Bessie Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/bessie_keith) _friendship_ Bessie is a lively, teasing friend to Rachel, often mocking her seriousness but genuinely fond of her. ### [Mrs. Curtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/mrs_curtis) _family_ Mrs. Curtis is Rachel's mother, loving but often exasperated by Rachel's headstrong and interfering ways. ### [Colonel Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/colonel_keith) _rivalry_ Colonel Keith and Rachel clash frequently, as he finds her meddlesome and she finds him arrogant and secretive. ### [Mr. Clare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/mr_clare) _professional_ Mr. Clare is the local clergyman who often works with Rachel on charitable projects, though he is wary of her overzealous methods. ### [Conrade Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/conrade_temple) _friendship_ Conrade is Rachel's cousin, a young man who is fond of her but often finds himself the target of her well-meaning lectures. ### [Mr. Mauleverer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/mr_mauleverer) _psychological_ Mr. Mauleverer is a manipulative charlatan who exploits Rachel's desire to do good, leading her into a disastrous charity scheme. ### [Alick Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/alick_keith) _romantic_ Alick is deeply in love with Rachel, but she is initially oblivious and later conflicted about her feelings for him. ### [Major Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/major_keith) _friendship_ Major Keith is a wise, older friend to Rachel, offering guidance and gently correcting her misguided philanthropic schemes. ## In the story ### [I: In Search of a Mission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/i-in-search-of-a-mission) Celebrates her twenty-fifth birthday, determined to shed girlish trappings and find a mission; critical of the church and social conventions. ### [II: Rachel's Discipline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/ii-rachel-s-discipline) Takes charge of Fanny's sons during a walk, attempts to discipline them, and later reflects on Fanny's infatuation with Conrade. ### [III: Mackarel Lane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/iii-mackarel-lane) Visits Mackarel Lane to judge the Williams sisters; becomes a regular visitor and engages in intellectual debates with Ermine. ### [IV: The Hero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/iv-the-hero) Disapproving of the military influence on Fanny, she is blunt and antagonistic towards the Colonel, and her presence adds tension to the scene. ### [V: Military Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/v-military-society) Questions Ermine about Major Keith, showing her suspicion of military men and her desire to manage Fanny's affairs. She is determined to counteract what she sees as frivolous influences. ### [VI: Ermine's Resolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/vi-ermine-s-resolution) Debates heroism with young Keith and expresses frustration with Colonel Keith's visits. ### [VII: Waiting for Rose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/vii-waiting-for-rose) Observes Fanny and Alexander Keith, feeling dislike and questioning her own motives. ### [Woman's Mission Discovered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/viii-woman-s-mission-discovered) Rachel awaits Miss Keith's arrival, expecting a dreamy blonde to mentor, but is disarmed by Bessie's wit and finds herself blushing and confused. She questions whether her summer's richness was due to Colonel Keith's presence and resolves to test her own feelings. ### [The New Sport](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/ix-the-new-sport) Defends Mr. Mauleverer's right to have unorthodox opinions, showing her intellectual and charitable nature. She is also determined to control the narrative of her adventure with Don and is involved in managing the Burnaby charity. ### [X: The Philanthropist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/x-the-philanthropist) Finds new purpose in philanthropy, eagerly embracing Mr. Mauleverer's scheme for an industrial school. ### [Lady Temple's Troubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xi-lady-temple-s-troubles) Quickly leaves Ermine's room upon Colonel Keith's arrival, determined not to encourage meetings. ### [XII: A Change at the Parsonage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xii-a-change-at-the-parsonage) Rachel is enthusiastic about the F.U.E.E. and hopes Mr. Mitchell will support it. She is also concerned about the change in clergy and its implications. ### [The Fox and the Crow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xiii-the-fox-and-the-crow) Defends Ermine and Colin's relationship, feels self-righteous, and plans to reform the Barnaby's Bargain charity. ### [XIV: The Gowanbrae Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xiv-the-gowanbrae-ball) Feels humiliated after discovering Alick Keith's Victoria Cross, which she had denied; reflects on her own opinions and the value of social grace. ### [XVI: An Apparition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xvi-an-apparition) Visits Ermine to seek contributions for her Journal of Female Industry, and is surprised to learn Ermine's secret identity. ### [XVII: The Siege](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xvii-the-siege) Confronts the evidence of Mauleverer's fraud, experiencing a painful awakening from her trust. ### [XIX: The Brewst She Brewed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xix-the-brewst-she-brewed) Preoccupied with caring for Lovedy, forced to attend dinner, discusses the situation with Captain Keith, insists on staying with the patient. ### [XX: The Saracen’s Head](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xx-the-saracen-s-head) Recovering from illness, burdened by guilt and anxiety over the Burnaby Bargain title-deeds and her involvement with Mauleverer. ### [XXI: The Quarter Sessions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxi-the-quarter-sessions) Testifies at the trial, her vague arrangements with Mauleverer lead to his acquittal, and she feels humiliated as the 'Clever Woman' who was duped. ### [The After Clap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxii-the-after-clap) Engaged to Alick Keith but tormented by rumors and self-doubt; suffers a public fainting fit and a night of feverish nightmares. ### [Dear Alexander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxiii-dear-alexander) Lies ill, depressed and feverish, feeling humiliated by Alick's proposal and her own confused faith. She insists on seeing him to explain herself. ### [XXIV: The Honeymoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxiv-the-honeymoon) Now Rachel Keith, she is overwhelmed by the honeymoon travels and struggles with depression and anxiety, finding solace only in Alick's kindness. ### [The Huntsford Croquet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxv-the-huntsford-croquet) In a state of tranquil recovery, she agrees to attend the croquet party, showing interest in her dress and a willingness to face society for her husband's sake. ### [XXVI: The End of Cleverness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxvi-the-end-of-cleverness) Rachel is steadfast in her honesty with Mrs. Carleton, refusing to offer false comfort. She is also protective of her new charge, the baby, and finds spiritual renewal during the church service. ### [Vanity of Vanities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxviii-vanity-of-vanities) Now Mrs. Keith, she presents her son to Lord Keith and later discovers the truth about Bessie's debts, feeling a mix of grief and disillusionment. ### [At Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxix-at-last) Arrives unexpectedly with the orphaned baby, showing a softened and devoted side, especially towards the child and Mr. Clare. She candidly admits her past views were nonsense. ### [XXX: Who Is the Clever Woman?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/chapters/xxx-who-is-the-clever-woman) Now a wife and mother, she reflects on her past blunders and appreciates Alick's kindness. She has learned to temper her enthusiasm with practical wisdom. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters/rachel_curtis - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clever_woman_of_the_family_se/characters