# Mr. Critchlow — The Old Wives’ Tale character guide

> Mr. Critchlow in The Old Wives’ Tale by Arnold Bennett.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Critchlow, Charles Critchlow, Charles, the redoubtable Charles

**First appearance:** 0004-i-the-square

## Snapshot

The redoubtable elderly chemist of Bursley, blunt, knowing, and long acquainted with the Baines family's private business, who ends by marrying Maria.

## Who they are

Mr. Critchlow has watched the Baineses through births, deaths, and elopements, dispensing pills and unwelcome opinions from behind his counter with equal indifference. He is the town's memory and its acid, a man who teases and is not teased, and whose dry verdicts carry more weight than anyone admits. His late marriage to Maria closes one of the novel's long, quiet loops and confirms how thoroughly the old generation has settled into its endings.

## Relationships

### [Sophia Baines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/characters/sophia_baines)

_social_

A gruff, elderly chemist and family friend who disapproves of Sophia's independence and choices.

### [Sophia Baines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/characters/sophia_baines)

_social_

A gruff, elderly chemist and family friend who disapproves of Sophia's independence and choices.

## In the story

### [The Old Wives’ Tale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/the-old-wives-tale)

A local chemist and family friend, representing the older generation and provincial stability.

### [Book I: Mrs. Baines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/book-i-mrs-baines)

The elderly chemist and friend of the family, a frequent visitor who observes the household with a critical eye.

### [II: The Tooth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/ii-the-tooth)

Takes charge of Mr. Baines's care on Thursday afternoons, accepts tea tray from Sophia, and is known for his peculiar habits.

### [III: Cyril](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/iii-cyril)

Leaves the party in high sardonic spirits with Jennie and Miss Insull.

### [VII: Bricks and Mortar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/vii-bricks-and-mortar)

Mr. Critchlow brusquely proposes to buy Constance's shop and brick up the connecting doors, intending to run the business with his new wife, Maria Insull. He is pragmatic and decisive.

### [The Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/ii-the-meeting)

Sophia thinks of Mr. Critchlow, admiring his brutal force and his marriage to Maria, though she does not understand his past feelings.

### [IV: End of Sophia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/iv-end-of-sophia)

Calls after Sophia's death; is not allowed to see Constance.

### [End of Constance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/v-end-of-constance)

Now very old, he sells the Baines shop and his own to the Midland Clothiers Company and retires to a small house. His wife Maria Critchlow attempts suicide.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/characters/mr_critchlow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/characters