# Mary — The Pickwick Papers character guide

> Mary in The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mary, Mary Ann

**First appearance:** 0007-vi

## Snapshot

A pretty housemaid in Mr. Nupkins's household whose charm catches Sam Weller's eye and eventually wins his heart.

## Who they are

Mary works in the household of the pompous magistrate Mr. Nupkins, where she encounters Sam Weller during the Pickwickians' misadventures in Ipswich. Her good looks and lively manner prompt Sam's gallant attentions, and their courtship threads quietly through later episodes. She represents the domestic happiness awaiting Sam beyond his life as Pickwick's servant, and her eventual marriage to him closes a warm subplot.

## Relationships

### [Samuel Pickwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters/samuel_pickwick)

_professional_

Mary is Mrs. Bardell's housemaid, who later becomes a servant in Pickwick's household and is treated kindly by him.

### [Samuel Pickwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters/samuel_pickwick)

_professional_

Mary is Mrs. Bardell's housemaid, who later becomes a servant in Pickwick's household and is treated kindly by him.

### [Samuel Pickwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters/samuel_pickwick)

_professional_

Mary is Mrs. Bardell's housemaid, who later becomes a servant in Pickwick's household and is treated kindly by him.

## In the story

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xxi)

The dying wife of the imprisoned man, who begs to be buried far from the prison.

### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xxv)

The pretty housemaid who shares a kiss with Sam Weller.

### [Mr. Weller the Elder Delivers Some Critical Sentiments Respecting Literary Composition; and, Assisted by His Son Samuel, Pays a Small Instalment of Retaliation to the Account of the Reverend Gentleman with the Red Nose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Sam writes a love letter to her, addressing it to Mr. Nupkins's house.

### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/lii)

The pretty housemaid who gives Sam the letter and shares a flirtatious moment with him.

### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/lvi)

Mary announces Sam's arrival and later is the subject of Sam's marriage plans and the fat boy's admiration.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters/mary
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters