# Mrs. Baines — The Old Wives’ Tale character guide

> Mrs. Baines in The Old Wives’ Tale by Arnold Bennett.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mrs. John Baines, John Baines, the imperial Mrs. Baines, Old Mrs. Baines

**First appearance:** 0002-the-old-wives-tale

## Snapshot

The imperial widow of John Baines, who rules the shop, the parlour, and her two daughters with a genial ruthlessness that brooks no rival authority.

## Who they are

Mrs. Baines presides over the Square with the correctness of a woman who has buried a husband and intends to bury the old order on her own terms. She manages Constance's romance by silence and Sophia's by vigilance, and her refusal to acknowledge what she sees is both a strategy and a fatigue. When she leaves the shop for Axe, her departure is the hinge on which the sisters' separate fates swing.

## In the story

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

The authoritative mother who manages the household and shop, embodying respectability and tradition.

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

The authoritative widowed mother who runs the shop and household with a firm hand, central to the family's stability.

### [The Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/i-the-square)

Mentioned as the mother, whose new gown Sophia tries on; her authority and presence are felt even in her empty garments.

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

Mentioned as having left Mr. Povey to sleep and later resuming control of the household.

### [A Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/iii-a-battle)

Struggles to maintain authority over Sophia, ultimately yielding to Sophia's plan after a painful internal conflict and a diplomatic interview with Miss Chetwynd.

### [Elephant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/iv-elephant)

Succumbs to the social pull of the dead elephant and goes to see it with Constance and Mr. Povey.

### [VI: Escapade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/vi-escapade)

Mrs. Baines is uneasy, suspecting Sophia of clandestine behavior but unable to confirm her fears.

### [VII: A Defeat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/vii-a-defeat)

Overwhelmed by Sophia's elopement, she feels defeated and aged, retreating to Axe.

### [Book II: Constance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/book-ii-constance)

Constance's mother, a dominant presence in the household and shop.

### [Revolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/i-revolution)

Has moved to Axe to live with Aunt Harriet; returns for a visit, showing signs of aging and fussiness.

### [Christmas and the Future](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/ii-christmas-and-the-future)

Living a lonely life at Axe, in gradual decline. She is distressed by Sophia's absence and disapproves of Samuel's newfangled sale poster.

### [II: Supper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_wives_tale_se/chapters/ii-supper)

Mentioned in Sophia's reflections on her former life in the Square.

## Links

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