# Maria Morell — The Getting of Wisdom character guide

> Maria Morell in The Getting of Wisdom by Henry Handel Richardson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Maria, May

**First appearance:** 0005-iii

## Snapshot

A sharp-tongued, quick-witted classmate whose sarcasm both wounds and fascinates Laura as she learns the school's unspoken rules.

## Who they are

Maria moves through the Ladies' College with an assurance Laura envies, her cleverness and cutting humour marking her as someone to reckon with among the girls. Where Laura is raw and impulsive, Maria is guarded and sardonic, and their friendship forms along an uneasy edge of admiration and rivalry. She becomes one of Laura's earliest lessons in how intelligence can be worn as armour, and how schoolgirl intimacy can curdle as quickly as it blooms.

## Relationships

### [Laura Rambotham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/laura_rambotham)

_friendship_

Maria is a kind and steady friend to Laura, offering a calming influence amid the social turmoil of school.

### [Laura Rambotham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/laura_rambotham)

_friendship_

Maria is a kind and steady friend to Laura, offering a calming influence amid the social turmoil of school.

### [Laura Rambotham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/laura_rambotham)

_friendship_

Maria is a kind and steady friend to Laura, offering a calming influence amid the social turmoil of school.

## In the story

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/chapters/v)

A fat, good-natured older girl who initially teases Laura but later offers protection.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/chapters/vi)

Maria is described as vulgar, fat, and older than Laura; Laura distances herself from Maria.

### [The Purple Dress and the Price of Conformity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/chapters/x)

Good-natured classmate who is indifferent to Laura's excuse about the missing dress.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xiii)

Older girl who initially cautions Kate but later accepts Laura into the group.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xv)

Offers Laura cynical advice on how to manipulate boys' affections, emphasizing keeping them at a distance.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xvii)

Maria expresses concern about Laura's inventions, warning her not to go to the Shepherd house again, but is drawn into the secret when Laura whispers a detail to her.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xviii)

Maria is one of Laura's accusers, calling her a 'vile little liar' and a 'dirty little skunk,' and leading the condemnation.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xix)

Mocks Laura when she tries to inquire about Chinky's disappearance, refusing to believe Laura's ignorance of the theft.

### [The Rebel's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xx)

Mentioned as one of the chief witnesses of Laura's disgrace, left behind in the class shift.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/maria_morell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters