The Getting of Wisdom · Character

Tilly Macnamara

A boisterous, mannish schoolgirl with a plump figure and a taste for flirtation, who befriends Laura and then proves a fair-weather friend.

supporting

Also known as Macnamara, Tilly

First appearance: iii

As a supporting figure in The Getting of Wisdom, Tilly Macnamara is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Wealthy new girl who becomes Laura's friend; her affluence highlights Laura's financial struggles.

In the storyThe Purple Dress and the Price of ConformityOpen this moment free

See Tilly Macnamara in The Purple Dress and the Price of Conformity Book page

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

Tilly Macnamara is the school's confident, boy-crazy type, wearing a stiff white collar and cuffs and swinging her shoulders atop a tightly laced waist as she and Laura go out to 'do the block' and meet a boy named Bob. She lends Laura a sash and dictates her hat, all bonhomie and self-absorption, and her friendship is as performative as her style. Tilly matters because she draws Laura into the social games of courtship and popularity, and because her eventual betrayal is one of the sharp lessons in what school society costs.

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

See Tilly Macnamara in iii

Character Web

18 connections

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

Relationship types

Rivalry
Romantic
Other

Character groups

Schoolgirls and Family
Protagonist

+13 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Laura reaches an emotional and psychological peak of isolation and humiliation as she is publicly mocked, aban…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Laura Rambotham
rivalry · negative
Tilly is a popular and manipulative girl at school who often clashes with Laura, creating… How this plays out →
Bob
romantic · ambivalent
Bob
romantic · ambivalent
Laura Rambotham
rivalry · negative
Tilly is a popular and manipulative girl at school who often clashes with Laura, creating… How this plays out →
Laura Rambotham
rivalry · negative
Tilly is a popular and manipulative girl at school who often clashes with Laura, creating… How this plays out →
Bob
romantic · ambivalent

Laura Rambotham
Tilly is a popular and manipulative girl at school who often clashes with Laura, creating a competitive and hostile dynamic.
Bob
Bob and Tilly share a flirtatious relationship, with Tilly using her charm to keep Bob's attention away from Laura.
Bob
Bob and Tilly share a flirtatious relationship, with Tilly using her charm to keep Bob's attention away from Laura.
Laura Rambotham
Tilly is a popular and manipulative girl at school who often clashes with Laura, creating a competitive and hostile dynamic.
Laura Rambotham
Tilly is a popular and manipulative girl at school who often clashes with Laura, creating a competitive and hostile dynamic.
Bob
Bob and Tilly share a flirtatious relationship, with Tilly using her charm to keep Bob's attention away from Laura.

Relationship notes

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

See Tilly Macnamara in iii

In the story

Tilly Macnamara appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Purple Dress and the Price of Conformity
Wealthy new girl who becomes Laura's friend; her affluence highlights Laura's financial struggles.
XII
Tilly accuses Laura of being sorry for Annie Johns, highlighting the social pressure Laura faces.
XIII
Laura's intimate friend who also skipped a class; more knowing at first but soon matched by Laura.
XIV
Acts as matchmaker, criticizes Laura's dress, and is preoccupied with her own appearance and flirting during the walk.
XV
Obsessed with reducing her waist measurement; Laura reflects on Tilly's priorities after the failed visit to Bob's family.
XVII
Tilly mocks Laura with a 'lightly mocking smile' and challenges her to reveal details about the visit, pushing Laura to fabricate more elaborate lies.
XVIII
Tilly expresses bitter disdain for Laura, mocking her shyness and claiming she was a fool to believe Laura's stories.
The Rebel's Return
Mentioned as one of the chief witnesses of Laura's disgrace, left behind in the class shift.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Tilly Macnamara unlock in the free preview.

See Tilly Macnamara in iii

See Tilly Macnamara in The Purple Dress and the Price of Conformity