# Fanny Minafer — The Magnificent Ambersons character guide > Fanny Minafer in The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkington. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Aunt Fanny Minafer, Fanny, poor old Fanny, Aunt Fanny, Fanny Minafer, old Fanny, Nowadays Fanny, old Fanny Minafer, Miss Fanny Minafer, Miss Fanny, Miss Minafer, Minafer, Old Fanny **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot George's spinster aunt, financially anxious and secretly in love with Eugene Morgan, clinging to the Amberson dignity long after the money has gone. ## Who they are Fanny Minafer lives on the family's fringe, counting columns of figures for her electric headlight investment and dreading the poverty that is quietly closing in. She is in love with Eugene Morgan and knows it is hopeless, and her nervous, self-pitying devotion to George makes her both pitiable and exasperating. When the household finally breaks up, her despair at being left in the lurch exposes how little the Amberson women were ever taught to stand on their own. ## Relationships ### [Eugene Morgan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/characters/eugene_morgan) _friendship_ Eugene is kind to Fanny, but she harbors unrequited romantic feelings for him, creating a tense dynamic. ### [Lucy Morgan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/characters/lucy_morgan) _social_ Fanny is polite to Lucy but views her with suspicion due to Lucy's connection to Eugene Morgan. ### [Eugene Morgan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/characters/eugene_morgan) _friendship_ Eugene is kind to Fanny, but she harbors unrequited romantic feelings for him, creating a tense dynamic. ### [Lucy Morgan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/characters/lucy_morgan) _social_ Fanny is polite to Lucy but views her with suspicion due to Lucy's connection to Eugene Morgan. ### [Lucy Morgan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/characters/lucy_morgan) _social_ Fanny is polite to Lucy but views her with suspicion due to Lucy's connection to Eugene Morgan. ### [Eugene Morgan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/characters/eugene_morgan) _friendship_ Eugene is kind to Fanny, but she harbors unrequited romantic feelings for him, creating a tense dynamic. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as the daughter of Old Aleck Minafer, who complains about the Ambersons' newfangled ways. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/v) Dances enthusiastically with a stranger, appearing childlike and enjoying herself. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/vi) Dances with Eugene Morgan, stirring ancient recollections according to George Amberson. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/vii) Rides in the horseless carriage with Eugene, Isabel, and George Amberson, part of the lively group. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/viii) Talks to Lucy about Eugene's inventions; sharply rebukes George for his suspicions about Eugene. ### [The Cotillion and the Sleighbell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/ix) Sits with Isabel, comments on George's pecking at Lucy, and watches Eugene Morgan with a hopeful calculation. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/x) Sends George a newspaper clipping with a critical article and writes him a letter about the dinner for the Morgans. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xi) Defends her friendliness toward Eugene against George's criticisms; argues hotly with George, calling him a 'little snippet'; is teased by George about being a 'stepmother-in-law'. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xii) Maliciously tells George the rumor about Lucy and Fred Kinney at dinner. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xiii) Target of George's teasing about Eugene Morgan; her romantic hopes are mocked. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xiv) Overwhelmed by grief after Wilbur's death; her haggard face appalls George, and he worries she fears being turned out. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xv) Left financially devastated after Wilbur's death and business failure, but is provided for by Isabel's gift of insurance money, though she remains despondent. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xvi) Appears desolate and sensitive; bursts into tears when George teases her about Eugene Morgan. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xvii) Bored and bleak during the factory visit, but attempts to appear amiable. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xviii) Criticizes Isabel for using mourning items too soon, predicts automobiles will be outlawed, and shows jealousy toward Eugene. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xix) Observes George keenly and later whispers her approval of his treatment of Eugene. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xx) Stares at George with cryptic, hopeful calculation, annoying him with her silent scrutiny. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xxi) Visits George to express approval of his rudeness to Eugene, but inadvertently reveals the extent of gossip about Isabel and Eugene, causing George's distress. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xxii) Reportedly told George about the town gossip and Mrs. Johnson's involvement. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xxiii) Fanny is mentioned as having been seen with Mrs. Johnson, contributing to the gossip about Isabel. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xxiv) Mentioned as moving about upstairs, but not directly involved in the scene. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xxv) Regrets telling George about the gossip, physically restrains him from interrupting Isabel and George Amberson, and expresses despair over the situation. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xxvi) Mentioned indirectly through George's reference to 'brother George' who told him about the gossip. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xxviii) Visits Lucy to reveal the details of George's behavior, criticizing his arrogance and Isabel's enabling, and expresses fear of loneliness in the big house. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xxix) Tries to comfort George and delivers the news of Eugene's arrival, then announces Isabel's death. ### [Chapter: The Major's Final Reflections and the Aftermath of Loss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xxx) Secretly absorbed in calculating her income from the electric headlight investment, she is later distressed by the financial failure of the venture. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xxxi) Nervously arranges their move to a kitchenette apartment, breaks dishes while cooking, and looks forward to bridge games with other elderly widows. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xxxii) Reveals she has lost all her money in the headlight company, leaving her with only twenty-eight dollars; desperate and emotional about being left in the lurch. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xxxiii) Lives with George in an apartment, plays bridge, makes coffee for George, and has a vague understanding of his job. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xxxiv) Lives in an apartment house, absorbed in table-d'hôte life; rarely sees Eugene or Lucy; George finds her not at home. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/chapters/xxxv) Mentioned as the reason George took a risky job; Kinney suggests she might be left on friends' hands. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/characters/fanny_minafer - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magnificent_ambersons_se/characters