The Enchanted April · Character

Mrs. Wilkins

A buoyant, impulsive London wife who seizes a newspaper advertisement and a month in Italy as escape from her husband's suffocating self-regard.

major

Also known as Lotty, Dear Lotty, the leaping Lotty

First appearance: I

As a major figure in The Enchanted April, Mrs. Wilkins is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Shy and neglected, she spots the advertisement and impulsively speaks to Mrs.

In the storyIOpen this moment free

See Mrs. Wilkins in I Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Lotty Wilkins is the engine of the plot: it is her sudden, rapturous idea to rent San Salvatore that gathers the four women under one roof. Married to the pompous Mellersh, she has learned to read people with startling accuracy and to speak truths others avoid — she tells Mr. Wilkins plainly that Mrs. Fisher 'hasn't got love.' Her openness is both her gift and her vulnerability, and her instinct that Italy can remake a person drives the book's central wager.

Continue beside the text

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

See Mrs. Wilkins in I

Character Web

12 connections

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

Relationship types

Psychological
Family
Friendship

Character groups

Villa guests and staff
Protagonist

+7 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Frederick and…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Mrs. Fisher
psychological · ambivalent
Mr. Wilkins
family · ambivalent
Mrs. Arbuthnot
friendship · positive
Scrap
friendship · positive
Frederick
friendship · positive
Mrs. Fisher
psychological · ambivalent
Mrs. Arbuthnot
friendship · positive
Scrap
friendship · positive
Mrs. Fisher
psychological · ambivalent
Mr. Wilkins
family · ambivalent
Mr. Wilkins
family · ambivalent
Frederick
friendship · positive

Mrs. Fisher
Mrs. Fisher initially dismisses Mrs. Wilkins as frivolous, but gradually comes to respect her transformative influence.
Mr. Wilkins
They are a married couple, initially strained and unhappy, but their relationship softens and improves during the stay.
Mrs. Arbuthnot
They form a close, supportive friendship, bonding over their shared escape from unhappy marriages and finding renewal.
Scrap
Mrs. Wilkins admires Scrap's beauty and confidence, and they develop a warm, sisterly friendship.
Frederick
Frederick is kind and appreciative of Mrs. Wilkins' gentle nature, and they share a supportive, platonic bond.
Mrs. Fisher
Mrs. Fisher initially dismisses Mrs. Wilkins as frivolous, but gradually comes to respect her transformative influence.
Mrs. Arbuthnot
They form a close, supportive friendship, bonding over their shared escape from unhappy marriages and finding renewal.
Scrap
Mrs. Wilkins admires Scrap's beauty and confidence, and they develop a warm, sisterly friendship.
Mrs. Fisher
Mrs. Fisher initially dismisses Mrs. Wilkins as frivolous, but gradually comes to respect her transformative influence.
Mr. Wilkins
They are a married couple, initially strained and unhappy, but their relationship softens and improves during the stay.
Mr. Wilkins
They are a married couple, initially strained and unhappy, but their relationship softens and improves during the stay.
Frederick
Frederick is kind and appreciative of Mrs. Wilkins' gentle nature, and they share a supportive, platonic bond.

Relationship notes

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

See Mrs. Wilkins in I

In the story

Mrs. Wilkins appears across 21 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
+13 more

I
Shy and neglected, she spots the advertisement and impulsively speaks to Mrs. Arbuthnot, revealing her deep longing for escape.
II
Impulsive and persuasive; insists that their current goodness makes them unhappy and that a happy sort of goodness awaits at the castle; described as having a 'curious infectiousness' and the eyes of a seer.
III
Excited by Mrs. Fisher's reminiscences; interrupts to ask about Keats; flustered when Mrs. Fisher asks for references; later suggests waiving Mrs. Fisher.
IV
Anxious about telling Mellersh about the trip; feels guilty but determined; experiences joy after leaving England.
V
Arrives in Italy with Mrs. Arbuthnot; frightened but joyful upon reaching San Salvatore; kisses Mrs. Arbuthnot.
VI
Expresses awe at the beauty of San Salvatore and the Judas tree, feels a sense of divine presence, and bluntly admires Lady Caroline's beauty.
VII
Feels thwarted at not being able to prepare a welcome for Mrs. Fisher, but is too happy in the paradise of San Salvatore to remain disappointed; she makes light-hearted remarks about husbands and beds.
VIII
Serene and philosophical, she embraces the freedom of San Salvatore, likening it to heaven and urging Mrs. Arbuthnot to let go of earthly concerns.
IX
Suggests leaving Scrap quiet, earning a moment of esteem from Scrap.
XI
Shows remarkable transformation, expressing love and forgiveness toward Mellersh; writes to invite him to San Salvatore, embracing generosity and selflessness.
XII
Wants to invite her husband Mellersh, feeling a need to share her happiness; becomes uneasy about the bedroom arrangements.
XIII
Responds instantly to the beauty of San Salvatore, diving into glory with rapture, and returns to dinner full of sunshine and contagious spirits.
XIV
Cheerfully meets her husband in the street, sings as she walks, and has become transformed by the atmosphere, feeling she has found her 'celestial legs'.
XV
Observes Mellersh's transformation with delight, delays confession about the nest-egg, and feels proud of his adaptability.
XVI
Lotty expands and becomes 'really very nice' under Mr. Wilkins's newfound affection; she marvels at his rapidly developing affectionateness.
XVII
Enthusiastically supports Rose's decision to write to Frederick, embracing her with joy.
XVIII
Lotty returns from her picnic, sees Mrs. Fisher laughing, and impulsively kisses her. She then engages Briggs in friendly conversation, showing her characteristic warmth and lack of propriety.
XIX
Mentions that Kate Lumley's room is available for Briggs.
XX
Comments on the love at San Salvatore and encourages Rose's optimism.
XXI
Lotty greets Frederick effusively, calls San Salvatore 'a tub of love,' and sits next to Rose at dinner.
XXII
Senses she might become Mrs. Fisher's close friend; teases Mr. Wilkins about the 'Briggses' and draws him away from the garden.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Wilkins unlock in the free preview.

See Mrs. Wilkins in I