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The Diary · Character

Elizabeth Pepys

Pepys's young French-born wife, whose wit and taste for the theatre make her a vivid presence in a marriage shadowed by his infidelities.

major

Also known as Mrs. Pepys, Betty Pepys, Elizabeth

First appearance: January 1659–60

As a major figure in The Diary, Elizabeth Pepys is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Pepys's wife; mentioned in relation to their wedding date and living at Woolwich during the Plague.
In the storyParticulars of the Life of Samuel PepysOpen this moment free

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Elizabeth shares Pepys's household and his pleasures — plays, music, new clothes — but not his freedom, and her sharp awareness of his wandering attention gives the diary much of its domestic tension. She is by turns…

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The fuller portrait of Elizabeth Pepys sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Elizabeth Pepys in January 1659–60

Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Elizabeth Pepys sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

EMEdward Montagu…SWSir William Ba…SPSamuel PepysCCCaptain CockeMTMrs. TurnerEPElizabeth Pepys

Relationship types

  • Social
  • Family
  • Other

Character groups

  • Naval and Court Officials
  • Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the news of the impending naval battle throws the Board into…

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Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Elizabeth Pepys in January 1659–60

In the story

Elizabeth Pepys appears across 109 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Elizabeth Pepys unlock in the free preview.

See Elizabeth Pepys in January 1659–60