# Maggie Campion — The Perennial Bachelor character guide > Maggie Campion in The Perennial Bachelor by Anne Parrish. **Role:** major **Also known as:** May, Miss Maggie, Miss May, Marie, May Campion, little May **First appearance:** 0001-the-perennial-bachelor ## Snapshot Freckled, boyish, and fierce in her affections, Maggie Campion loves her brother Victor with a devotion that will shape the whole Campion family's fate. ## Who they are Maggie is the eldest Campion daughter — bold as brass one moment, crimson with shyness the next, forever tearing petticoats and carrying hop-toads in her hat. Her love expresses itself in gruff boasts and awful faces, and it fixes most dangerously on her little brother Victor, whose happiness she treats as her own life's work. As the family's emotional center of gravity, she holds the household together even as her fierce loyalty threatens to bind her to a life she never chose. ## Relationships ### [Victor Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/characters/victor_campion) _family_ Maggie is Victor's sister, and their frequent interactions suggest a close but complex sibling bond, with Maggie often acting as a caretaker or moral compass. ### [Lily Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/characters/lily_campion) _family_ Lily is Maggie's sister, and their relationship appears supportive and intimate, with Lily looking up to Maggie. ### [Mamma Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/characters/mamma_campion) _family_ Maggie and her mother share a close, dutiful relationship, with Maggie often managing household matters and her mother's expectations. ### [Edward Post](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/characters/edward_post) _romantic_ Edward is a persistent suitor of Maggie, but she keeps him at arm's length, creating a one-sided romantic dynamic. ### [Lucy Hawthorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/characters/lucy_hawthorn) _friendship_ Lucy and Maggie are friends and confidantes, sharing secrets and supporting each other in social matters. ### [Mrs. Hawthorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/characters/mrs_hawthorn) _social_ Mrs. Hawthorn is Lucy's mother, and Maggie interacts with her as a neighbor and family friend, often in social contexts. ### [Mr. Robinson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/characters/mr_robinson) _professional_ Mr. Robinson appears to be a business associate or family lawyer, and Maggie deals with him regarding practical matters. ### [Papa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/characters/papa) _family_ Maggie is Papa's daughter, and she shares a gentle, respectful bond with him, often mediating between him and Mamma. ### [Aunt Priscilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/characters/aunt_priscilla) _family_ Aunt Priscilla is Maggie's aunt, and she is a sharp-tongued but caring presence, often giving unsolicited advice. ### [Victor Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/characters/victor_campion) _family_ Maggie is Victor's sister, and their frequent interactions suggest a close but complex sibling bond, with Maggie often acting as a caretaker or moral compass. ### [Lily Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/characters/lily_campion) _family_ Lily is Maggie's sister, and their relationship appears supportive and intimate, with Lily looking up to Maggie. ### [Victor Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/characters/victor_campion) _family_ Maggie is Victor's sister, and their frequent interactions suggest a close but complex sibling bond, with Maggie often acting as a caretaker or moral compass. ## In the story ### [The Perennial Bachelor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/the-perennial-bachelor) Referenced in the context of family and duty. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/i) Ten-year-old tomboy, excited about Papa's birthday, more like a boy than a girl. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/iii) Gives Papa a pincushion, feels inadequate, and leans against him, overwhelmed with love. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/iii) Gives Papa a lute-shaped pincushion and copies Mamma's reactions. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/iv) Maggie is protective of baby Victor, scolding Lily and showing her love. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/v) Deeply affected by the war, feeling pity for the wounded and a desire to help; she is the one who still remembers Papa. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/vi) Leads the children in play, acts as a caretaker, and considers herself too old for fairy tales. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/vi) Lies on her back pretending to be under the sea, absorbed in her own imaginative world. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/vii) Helps prepare Victor for school, resentful of Mamma's manipulative requests for willing compliance. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/viii) Now a grown-up young lady, she enjoys outdoor activities and dresses up for parties, though she retains 'little boy feelings inside.' ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/viii) The beauty of the family with a tiny waist, she complains about her short hair and desires evening hair. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/ix) Lies on the floor with Victor, playing with tin soldiers, and is present during Mr. Lacey's visit. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/x) Maggie criticizes Mamma's expensive dress, showing her practical and moralistic nature. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xi) Observes the events, feeling a 'hard knot of pain' but hugging Mamma in support. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xii) Drives the carriage home, helps Aunt Priscilla find her slippers, and scolds May for being rude to Mamma. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xii) Plays the Lady of Shalott, is admired by Edward Post, and becomes excited about his attention, but is also anxious and tearful. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xiii) Shows skill in archery and a growing connection with Edward Post, sharing quiet moments and mutual smiles. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xiii) Feels overlooked and seeks attention from Edward, then starts a flirtation with Ralph Wither. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xiv) Engaged to Edward, she experiences intense joy and sorrow as they prepare for their future together. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xv) Cares for Mamma during her illness, makes a promise to take care of Victor, and experiences exhaustion and heightened perception. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xvi) Nervously prepares for Edward's visit, feeling numb and unable to connect with him upon his arrival. She is torn between her love for Edward and her duty to Victor and the family. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xvii) May is resentful of the sacrifices made for Victor, feeling trapped and bitter about her own lack of opportunities. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xviii) Helps prepare the house for Lucy's visit, though she initially declines to go to the Leafs'. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xviii) Flirts with Prentice Page, showing her playful and somewhat desperate nature. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xix) Sacrifices her own dreams of the ball for Victor, preparing his clothes and insisting he bring flowers to Lucy. She is deeply sentimental, pausing for the lilies-of-the-valley. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xix) Briefly fantasizes about attending the ball, but is quickly brought back to reality by the family's financial constraints. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xx) Mentioned in Victor's thoughts about home life, such as her cooking habits. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxi) Comforts Victor after Lucy's letter, blaming Lucy's mother and urging Victor not to become bitter. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxii) Feels uncharacteristically lighthearted and joyful in the spring, sings and dances, but later experiences a painful realization about Edward. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxiii) Feels the weight of age at forty-one, works hard to earn money, and cares for her family. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxiii) Attends a ball and dances repeatedly with a mysterious A. J., sparking curiosity and potential romance. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxiv) Dyes clothes, worries about May and Victor, and reluctantly hosts Daisy Blow. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxiv) Arranges the party table, happy with her new beau Wadsworth Robinson, but overshadowed by Daisy's decorations. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxv) Observes Mr. Robinson's courtship of May, invites him to supper, and later worries about May's emotional state. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxvi) Feels the passage of time, worries about finances, and reluctantly decides to take in boarders. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxvi) Shows signs of strain, spending time alone and avoiding glasses despite needing them. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxvii) Informs Victor of May's death and reflects on May's life. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxvii) Drowns herself in the bathtub; later remembered as 'Lady of Shalott'. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxviii) Sorts through old belongings, recalls memories, and feels the loss of The Maples. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxix) Maggie is portrayed as the devoted sister who sacrificed her own happiness to care for Victor, watering plants and preparing his breakfast with love. ### [The Diagnosis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxx) Experiences severe pain, receives a terminal cancer diagnosis, and undergoes a spiritual crisis during Communion. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxxi) Maggie is terminally ill, making a poignant farewell visit to The Maples and preparing for her death. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxxii) Mentioned as absent, causing Lily's loneliness. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/characters/maggie_campion - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/characters