# Mrs. Paulina Barnett — The Fur Country character guide > Mrs. Paulina Barnett in The Fur Country by Jules Verne. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Paulina Barnett, Mrs. Barnett, Paulina, Mrs. Paulina Barnett, Sabine, Mrs. Paulina Barnett of Sabine **First appearance:** 0001-the-fur-country ## Snapshot A celebrated traveler and writer who joins the expedition north, reading aloud to rough soldiers and venturing into the snow herself. ## Who they are Mrs. Barnett is the life of Fort Hope, combining a woman's grace with a man's energy, and the soldiers would gladly die for her. She refuses to be sheltered, sharing every hardship and drawing out the most reticent with warm, intelligent questions. Her presence softens the fort's harshness and gives the story its humane, curious eye on the polar world. ## In the story ### [The Fur Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/the-fur-country) Present as a key figure accompanying the expedition. ### [A Soiree at Fort Reliance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-i-a-soiree-at-fort-reliance) Celebrated female traveller and guest of honor; a laureate of the Royal Geographical Society, she plans to join Hobson's expedition to reach the Arctic Ocean. ### [II: The Hudson’s Bay Fur Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-ii-the-hudson-s-bay-fur-company) Engages in conversation with Captain Craventy about the Company's past and future plans, showing keen interest in the political and economic factors. ### [A Factory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-iv-a-factory) Observes the Company's operations at Fort Reliance; engages in long talks with Hobson and becomes enthusiastic about Thomas Black's astronomical mission. ### [From Fort Reliance to Fort Enterprise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-v-from-fort-reliance-to-fort-enterprise) Expresses enthusiasm for the Arctic's beauty and poetry, contrasting with Madge's practical concerns; recalls past travels in hot climates. ### [A Wapiti Duel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-vi-a-wapiti-duel) Enjoys the Arctic scenery and spring, engages in philosophical discussion with Hobson about the sun and cold. ### [A Wapiti Duel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-vi-a-wapiti-duel) Expert hunter who assists Marbre in tracking and dispatching the wapiti. ### [VII: The Arctic Circle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-vii-the-arctic-circle) Expresses surprise at not seeing more polar bears; is present at the latitude measurement and congratulated on crossing the Arctic Circle; shares a hut with Madge and Hobson during the storm. ### [The Great Bear Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-viii-the-great-bear-lake) Accompanies Hobson across the lake to the Indian encampment, sharing observations and thoughts about the landscape. ### [A Storm on the Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-ix-a-storm-on-the-lake) Shows courage during the storm, insists Hobson save himself, and is rescued alongside him. ### [A Retrospect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-x-a-retrospect) Travels with Hobson, engages in conversation about exploration, and expresses gratitude to Sergeant Felton for hospitality. ### [Along the Coast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xi-along-the-coast) Accompanies the expedition, shares Hobson's disappointment at the abandoned camp, and suggests examining traces to identify the previous occupants. ### [XII: The Midnight Sun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xii-the-midnight-sun) Explores the surrounding district with Hobson and others; the river and harbor are named in her honor. ### [Fort Hope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xiii-fort-hope) Oversees household management with Madge, congratulates Hobson on the chimneys, and is assigned a cabin in the new house. ### [Some Excursions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xiv-some-excursions) Joins hunting expeditions, carrying a gun and keeping pace with the men. ### [Fifteen Miles from Cape Bathurst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xv-fifteen-miles-from-cape-bathurst) Accompanies the expedition out of curiosity, discusses the tidal anomaly with Hobson, and climbs the cliff with him. ### [XVI: Two Shots](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xvi-two-shots) Accompanies the hunting party and graciously accepts the silver fox as a gift from the Canadian hunter. ### [The Approach of Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xvii-the-approach-of-winter) Expresses delight and enthusiasm at the winter transformation, finding the scene sublime; stands as godmother to newborn Michael Hope. ### [The Polar Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xviii-the-polar-night) Reads aloud to the group, asks about the cold and thaw, and shows great interest in the degrees of cold. ### [A Neighbourly Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xix-a-neighbourly-visit) Visits the Eskimo snow hut with Madge and Hobson; shows superhuman courage by enduring the smoky interior for five minutes; translates a Greenland saga sung by Kalumah; develops a close bond with Kalumah. ### [Mercury Freezes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xx-mercury-freezes) Exemplary courage and activity; keeps others awake and cheerful with readings and songs. ### [The Large Polar Bears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xxi-the-large-polar-bears) Urges Hobson to take action when the cold becomes deadly, and participates in the council of war. ### [Five Months More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xxii-five-months-more) Jokes about the loss of Paulina River and Port Barnett, decides to remain at Fort Hope for another winter. ### [XXIII: The Eclipse of the 18th July 1860](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xxiii-the-eclipse-of-the-18th-july-1860) Attempts to reassure Hobson about the colony's health and resources, and later tries to soothe Thomas Black's anxiety about the eclipse. ### [A Floating Fort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-i-a-floating-fort) Resignedly accepts their fate and shows interest in making observations. ### [Where Are We?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-ii-where-are-we) Engages in the strategic conversation, suggests building a boat, and questions Hobson about their location and the currents. ### [A Tour of the Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-a-tour-of-the-island) Accompanies Hobson on the tour, reflects on the naming of locations, and suggests using birds as messengers. ### [A Night Encampment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-iv-a-night-encampment) Accompanies the exploration, cheers Hobson with fanciful ideas about floating parks, and insists Sergeant Long rest after his accident. ### [V: From July 25th to August 20th](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-v-from-july-25th-to-august-20th) Supports Hobson but argues for telling the truth; works tirelessly on winter garments and encourages the colony. ### [VI: Ten Days of Tempest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-ten-days-of-tempest) Engages in conversation with Hobson about the storm's potential to drive them toward land; receives updates on his discoveries. ### [Mrs. Paulina Barnett's Excursion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-viii-mrs-paulina-barnett-s-excursion) Leads an excursion with Madge to assess the island's condition; discovers human footprints and bloodstains, indicating a possible survivor. ### [Kalumah’s Adventures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-ix-kalumah-s-adventures) Discovers and revives Kalumah; decides to keep the island's situation secret. ### [X: The Kamchatka Current](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-x-the-kamchatka-current) Advises Hobson to wait before revealing the danger to the others; recounts the events at Cape Eskimo; discusses the island's situation with Hobson. ### [A Communication from Lieutenant Hobson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xi-a-communication-from-lieutenant-hobson) Expresses sorrow at leaving Fort Hope but supports Hobson's decision; suggests Kalumah's knowledge of Alaska will be useful. ### [A Chance to Be Tried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xii-a-chance-to-be-tried) Accompanies Hobson on reconnaissance, confronts the terrifying Arctic landscape, and is moved by the soldiers' loyalty. ### [XIII: Across the Ice Field](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii-across-the-ice-field) Bids farewell to Fort Hope with emotion, asks Hobson about progress, and expresses concern about the slow pace of the journey. ### [The Winter Months](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv-the-winter-months) Leads daily activities, resolves disputes, educates Kalumah, and bravely confronts the polar bear. ### [The Last Exploring Expedition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xv-the-last-exploring-expedition) Inquires about the thaw and accompanies the reconnaissance expedition. ### [The Breakup of the Ice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xvi-the-breakup-of-the-ice) Assists with sextant observations, maintains a brave exterior despite inner fears, and encourages the colonists. ### [The Avalanche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii-the-avalanche) Buried beneath the avalanche after being persuaded to rest instead of accompanying Hobson. ### [All at Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii-all-at-work) One of the four buried victims; her courage is remembered as the rescuers hope she is trying to dig her way out. ### [XIX: Bering Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xix-bering-sea) Recovers consciousness and recounts the 74-hour ordeal in the submerged house; discusses the island's drift with Hobson and expresses despair at losing hope of reaching land. ### [In the Offing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xx-in-the-offing) Examines the map, muses on the island's fatal course, and urges Hobson to consider any possible action. ### [The Island Becomes and Islet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi-the-island-becomes-and-islet) Observes the departure of birds and discusses the ominous signs with Madge; provides spiritual comfort with her remark about divine power. ### [The Four Following Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii-the-four-following-days) Accompanies Hobson on the survey of the islet and intervenes to prevent soldiers from throwing themselves into the sea. ### [On a Piece of Ice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiii-on-a-piece-of-ice) Intervenes to prevent Kellet's suicide and supports the astronomer's air-pump idea. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiv-conclusion) Cheered by the group for her courage and comfort; plans to return to Europe. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/characters/paulina_barnett - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/characters