# Miriam — The History of Mr. Polly character guide > Miriam in The History of Mr. Polly by H. G. Wells. **Role:** major **Also known as:** cousin Miriam, Cousin Miriam, Miriam Polly **First appearance:** 0000-i-beginnings-and-the-bazaar ## Snapshot Mr. Polly's cousin and wife, a practical woman whose cooking, thrift, and unshakeable domestic certainties slowly smother whatever joy her husband has left. ## Who they are Miriam enters Mr. Polly's life as one of the cheerful Larkins cousins and settles into it as a wife who manages the shop, the kitchen, and the household accounts without ever quite seeing the man beside her. She is not cruel, only entirely without imagination about him, and the marriage becomes a long, low quarrel of mismatched appetites. Her cooking and her economies are the daily texture of Mr. Polly's unhappiness, and the reader feels the trap closing with every meal. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/mr_polly) _family_ Miriam is Mr. Polly's wife, and their marriage is marked by mutual dissatisfaction and constant bickering. ### [Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/johnson) _social_ Johnson is a sympathetic acquaintance of Miriam, often caught in the middle of her marital conflicts with Mr. Polly. ### [Wintershed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/wintershed) _family_ Wintershed is Miriam's father, a practical and domineering man who influences her expectations in marriage. ### [Uncle Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/uncle_jim) _family_ Uncle Jim is Miriam's relative, and their relationship is strained due to his violent behavior toward her husband. ### [Mr. Voules](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/mr_voules) _family_ Mr. Voules is Miriam's uncle who orchestrates her marriage to Mr. Polly, acting as a controlling family patriarch. ### [Mr. Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/mr_polly) _family_ Miriam is Mr. Polly's wife, and their marriage is marked by mutual dissatisfaction and constant bickering. ### [Mr. Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/mr_polly) _family_ Miriam is Mr. Polly's wife, and their marriage is marked by mutual dissatisfaction and constant bickering. ### [Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/johnson) _social_ Johnson is a sympathetic acquaintance of Miriam, often caught in the middle of her marital conflicts with Mr. Polly. ### [Wintershed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/wintershed) _family_ Wintershed is Miriam's father, a practical and domineering man who influences her expectations in marriage. ### [Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/johnson) _social_ Johnson is a sympathetic acquaintance of Miriam, often caught in the middle of her marital conflicts with Mr. Polly. ### [Uncle Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/uncle_jim) _family_ Uncle Jim is Miriam's relative, and their relationship is strained due to his violent behavior toward her husband. ### [Mr. Voules](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/mr_voules) _family_ Mr. Voules is Miriam's uncle who orchestrates her marriage to Mr. Polly, acting as a controlling family patriarch. ## In the story ### [I: Beginnings, and the Bazaar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/i-beginnings-and-the-bazaar) Mr. Polly's wife; she retrieves his old hat, triggering his rage, and later cleans up after his tantrum. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/i) Mrs. Polly offers Mr. Polly his old hat, is blamed for the indignity, and later cleans up after his tantrum, calling it 'tantrums'. ### [Mr. Polly an Orphan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iv-mr-polly-an-orphan) Cousin Miriam, who catches Mr. Polly's eye sympathetically during the funeral. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as Mrs. Johnson, the talkative and managing wife of Johnson. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iii) Another Larkins cousin, more reserved, who admires Mrs. Johnson's decorations. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iv) A quieter Larkins cousin who regards Mr. Polly earnestly during the funeral proceedings. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/v) Sits opposite Mr. Polly at the funeral meal; tries to get his attention and later catches his eye sympathetically. ### [Mr. Polly Takes a Vacation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/v-mr-polly-takes-a-vacation) Cousin Miriam opens the door to Mr. Polly during his visit to the Larkins family. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/ii) Miriam opens the door to Mr. Polly, quickly tidies herself, and shows interest in his bicycle and visit. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iii) Dresses with care, shows self-conscious propriety, and objects to touching the front room. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned among the Larkins cousins; Mr. Polly thinks she is 'not so bad as the others.' ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/v) Another Larkins cousin; increasing familiarity with Mr. Polly. ### [VI: Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/vi-miriam) Meets Mr. Polly in the park, accepts his proposal, and expresses her desire for a respectable shop life. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/i) Returns from shopping, shows sympathy for Mr. Polly's scratches, and engages in the tea-time conversation about his future shop. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/ii) Accepts Mr. Polly's proposal, expressing her long-held feelings for him. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iii) The cousin Mr. Polly has promised to marry; he visits and kisses her frequently. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iv) The bride, tearful and dressed in grey, appearing stiff and unfamiliar to Mr. Polly. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/v) The bride, kissed by Mr. Voules and led out of the church, pelted with rice alongside Mr. Polly. ### [The Wedding Feast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/vi) The bride, who receives a kiss from Mr. Polly and helps with the hampers. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/vii) Sits in an unbecoming hat, smiles encouragingly at Mr. Polly, and whispers 'Soon be together now.' ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/viii) The bride, now Mrs. Polly, waving her handkerchief and commenting on the rice thrown at them. ### [VII: The Little Shop at Fishbourne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/vii-the-little-shop-at-fishbourne) Mr. Polly's wife, earnest but practically incapable, who thinks him lazy and disapproves of his reading habit, hiding books under the counter. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/i) Mr. Polly's wife; practical and critical, she dislikes the house and focuses on keeping everything 'right,' contributing to Mr. Polly's unhappiness. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/ii) Earnest but impractical wife; cooks poorly, neglects the house, and criticizes Mr. Polly for his laziness and reading habits. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as the cook whose culinary efforts contribute to Mr. Polly's digestive troubles. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/vii) Mr. Polly dreads telling her about their financial troubles; she maintains a hostile silence at supper. ### [VIII: Making an End to Things](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/viii-making-an-end-to-things) Mr. Polly's wife; goes to church, later discusses restarting their life after the fire. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/i) Mr. Polly's wife; they argue about arrears of rent and mutual grievances before she goes to church. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iv) Embraces Mr. Polly after his descent from the fire escape. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/v) Mr. Polly's wife, who sees the fire as a chance to start over and discusses insurance and a new house. ### [IX: The Potwell Inn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/ix-the-potwell-inn) Mentioned as Mr. Polly's sleeping wife, left behind after he clears out. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/i) Sleeping sonorously beside Mr. Polly, representing the domestic trap he wishes to escape. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/ii) Mr. Polly occasionally thinks of Miriam but deliberately controls his mind to avoid dwelling on her. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned as a prior claim on Mr. Polly's duty and chivalry. ### [Miriam Revisited](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/x-miriam-revisited) Runs a tea shop with Annie under 'Polly & Larkins'; believed Mr. Polly was drowned and used insurance money; recognizes him immediately and fears he has come back. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/i) Thought of remotely and impersonally; Mr. Polly feels regret for deserting her and imagines her distress. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/ii) Now a widow running a tea shop with her sister Annie; she is shocked by Mr. Polly's return. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned by Mr. Polly as someone who was always trying, but her efforts did not lead to happiness. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/miriam - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters