The History of Mr. Polly · Character

The Young Lady

A romantic interest of Mr. Polly's youth.

minor

First appearance: i beginnings and the bazaar

The Young Lady's tie to Mr. Polly is one of the pressures that moves The History of Mr. Polly—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

A red-haired girl encountered by Mr.

In the storyMr. Polly Takes a VacationOpen this moment free

The Young Lady first appears in 0000 i beginnings and the bazaar.

With Mr. Polly (romantic): The Young Lady (often identified as Christabel) represents a fleeting romantic fantasy and escape for Mr. Polly. With Mr. Polly (romantic): The Young Lady (often identified as Christabel) represents a fleeting romantic fantasy and escape for Mr. Polly. With Mr. Polly (romantic): The Young Lady (often identified as Christabel) represents a fleeting romantic fantasy and escape for Mr. Polly.

See The Young Lady in Mr. Polly Takes a Vacation Book page

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

Character Web

9 connections

A slice of how The Young Lady sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Other

Character groups

Polly's Domestic Circle
Protagonist
Extended Family & Acquaintances

+4 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

Mr. Polly reaches his emotional and psychological peak here by embracing suicide as a liberating act, experien…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Mr. Polly
romantic · positive
The Young Lady (often identified as Christabel) represents a fleeting romantic fantasy… How this plays out →
Mr. Polly
romantic · positive
The Young Lady (often identified as Christabel) represents a fleeting romantic fantasy… How this plays out →
Mr. Polly
romantic · positive
The Young Lady (often identified as Christabel) represents a fleeting romantic fantasy… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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

See The Young Lady in i beginnings and the bazaar

In the story

The Young Lady appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Mr. Polly Takes a Vacation
A red-haired girl encountered by Mr. Polly while she climbs over a wall; she is on holiday and out of bounds.
V
Red-haired girl met on a wall; engages in flirtatious conversation with Mr. Polly.
III
The plump landlady of the Potwell Inn, who mistakes Mr. Polly for 'Jim' but quickly befriends him and offers him work.
IV
A nine-year-old girl with black hair and brown legs who warns Mr. Polly about Uncle Jim and boasts of his violent behavior.
V
The plump woman's granddaughter; mentioned as being corrupted by Uncle Jim's influence.
VI
Referred to as the plump woman; she briefly confided in Mr. Polly about Uncle Jim but then ignored the subject.
The Private War Begins
Locked upstairs for safety, later ventures down to see the aftermath.
IX
One of the girls in the party of young people, shrieks during Uncle Jim's attack.
XI
Referred to as the landlady of the Potwell Inn; she locks herself upstairs with her grandchild during the attack and refuses to come down until assured Uncle Jim and the gun are gone.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for The Young Lady unlock in the free preview.

See The Young Lady in i beginnings and the bazaar

See The Young Lady in Mr. Polly Takes a Vacation