# Mrs. Western — The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling character guide > Mrs. Western in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Western, Harriet, Harriet Fitzpatrick Mrs. Western, Fitzpatrick **First appearance:** 0001-the-history-of-tom-jones-a-foundling ## Snapshot Sophia's worldly, opinionated aunt, who prides herself on understanding men and intends to arrange her niece's marriage accordingly. ## Who they are Mrs. Western is a woman of fashion and firm views, convinced that her experience of the world entitles her to direct Sophia's future, including a match with the odious Blifil. She delights in political argument and in being thought clever, and her vanity makes her easy to flatter and hard to move. Her determination to manage Sophia's heart sets up the central conflict of the early books: the collision between a young woman's wishes and the family machinery designed to override them. ## Relationships ### [Sophia Western](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/characters/sophia_western) _family_ Mrs. Western is Sophia's aunt, who tries to control Sophia's marriage choices for social advancement. ### [Squire Allworthy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/characters/squire_allworthy) _social_ Mrs. Western and Squire Allworthy are social equals who interact regarding family matters and matchmaking. ### [Sophia Western](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/characters/sophia_western) _family_ Mrs. Western is Sophia's aunt, who tries to control Sophia's marriage choices for social advancement. ### [Squire Allworthy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/characters/squire_allworthy) _social_ Mrs. Western and Squire Allworthy are social equals who interact regarding family matters and matchmaking. ### [Sophia Western](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/characters/sophia_western) _family_ Mrs. Western is Sophia's aunt, who tries to control Sophia's marriage choices for social advancement. ### [Squire Allworthy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/characters/squire_allworthy) _social_ Mrs. Western and Squire Allworthy are social equals who interact regarding family matters and matchmaking. ## In the story ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/xii) Sophia's aunt; first to see Sophia faint and screams; produces hartshorn to aid Blifil. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/ii) Learned and worldly; claims to have discovered Sophia's secret love for Blifil; argues with her brother over politics. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/iii) Observes Sophia's behavior with suspicion, initially staggered but later attributing it to artful deception. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/iv) Agrees to inform Sophia of the marriage proposal. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/v) Mrs. Western interrogates Sophia about her reading and her feelings, mistakenly believing Sophia's passion is for Mr. Blifil. Upon learning the truth, she becomes enraged and threatens to expose Sophia's love for Tom Jones, but agrees to secrecy if Sophia will accept Mr. Blifil. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as having just left Sophia after obtaining a promise. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/ix) Reveals Sophia's secret to her brother and later helps revive Sophia after she faints. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/xiii) Lectures Sophia on prudence and the polite world's view of marriage. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/xiv) Criticizes her brother's methods, advocates for rational persuasion over force, and takes over the management of Sophia. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/iii) Mrs. Western lectures Sophia on matrimony as a prudent financial transaction, insists on the Blifil match, and argues fiercely with Squire Western before leaving. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/iv) The deceased wife of Squire Western, married against her will, described as a good servant rather than a good wife, with a gloomy temper. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as having quarreled with Squire Western and preparing to leave the house in a rage. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/vi) Advises violent (hasty) measures to force Sophia into the match, showing her manipulative nature. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/viii) Squire Western's sister, who confronts Honour after being misled by her maid and demands Honour's dismissal. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/ix) Demands severe punishment for Honour, but is overruled by her brother's clerk; later speaks to Sophia in a peremptory style. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/viii) Mrs. Western criticizes her brother's parenting and insists that Sophia's flight is his own fault. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/iv) Mrs. Fitzpatrick's aunt; initially favored Mr. Fitzpatrick but was deceived by his attentions to her niece. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/x) Quoted by Sophia regarding a maxim about marital peace; previously introduced Sophia to Lady Bellaston. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/vi) Receives the letter from Mrs. Fitzpatrick and advises her brother on a decorous approach to Lady Bellaston. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/iii) Arrives in town and engages in a loud argument with her brother. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/iv) Arrives at the inn, demands Sophia's release, and takes control of her niece's future. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/vii) Lectures Sophia on prudence; scolds her brother for invading privacy; defers Blifil's visit to the afternoon. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/viii) Eagerly supports Lord Fellamar's proposal and blames her brother's folly for Sophia's attachment to Jones. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/ix) Mentioned as the target of Mrs. Fitzpatrick's scheme and as having previously shown fondness for Mr. Fitzpatrick. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/iv) Mrs. Western insists on the marriage for family aggrandizement, but is softened by Sophia's flattery and agrees to stay during Lord Fellamar's visit. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/viii) Mrs. Western insists on the interview with Lord Fellamar, becomes enraged at Sophia's defiance, and threatens to return her to her father. She is informed by the maid Betty of a secret letter from Mrs. Miller. ### [Chapter the Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/chapters/chapter-the-last) Reconciles with Sophia and spends time with her in the country. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/characters/mrs_western - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_tom_jones_a_foundling_se/characters