The Secret Agent · Character

Mother

Mrs. Verloc's mother, who moves out to a charity home.

minor

First appearance: Chapter VI

Mother's tie to Mr. Verloc is one of the pressures that moves The Secret Agent—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

See Mother in Chapter VI Book page

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With Mr. Verloc (family): Verloc's mother-in-law lives with the family and is quietly manipulative, sacrificing her own comfort for Stevie's sake. With Comrade Ossipon (social): Ossipon interacts with Verloc's mother as a household acquaintance, showing little genuine interest. With Mrs. Verloc (family): Mother and daughter share a close but strained bond, with the mother sacrificing her place for Stevie's welfare.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Mother sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mother in Chapter VI

Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how Mother sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Social
Other

Character groups

Anarchist circle and victims
Protagonist
Investigators and theoretical figures

+5 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

In this scene, the emotional and psychological peak occurs as the Professor reveals his nihilistic detachment…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Mr. Verloc
family · ambivalent
Verloc's mother-in-law lives with the family and is quietly manipulative, sacrificing her… How this plays out →
Comrade Ossipon
social · ambivalent
Mrs. Verloc
family · positive
Stevie
family · positive
Mr. Verloc
family · ambivalent
Verloc's mother-in-law lives with the family and is quietly manipulative, sacrificing her… How this plays out →
Mrs. Verloc
family · positive
Comrade Ossipon
social · ambivalent
Mr. Verloc
family · ambivalent
Verloc's mother-in-law lives with the family and is quietly manipulative, sacrificing her… How this plays out →
Stevie
family · positive
Comrade Ossipon
social · ambivalent
Stevie
family · positive
Mrs. Verloc
family · positive

Mr. Verloc
Verloc's mother-in-law lives with the family and is quietly manipulative, sacrificing her own comfort for Stevie's sake.
Comrade Ossipon
Ossipon interacts with Verloc's mother as a household acquaintance, showing little genuine interest.
Mrs. Verloc
Mother and daughter share a close but strained bond, with the mother sacrificing her place for Stevie's welfare.
Stevie
Stevie's grandmother dotes on him and is deeply concerned for his safety and well-being.
Mr. Verloc
Verloc's mother-in-law lives with the family and is quietly manipulative, sacrificing her own comfort for Stevie's sake.
Mrs. Verloc
Mother and daughter share a close but strained bond, with the mother sacrificing her place for Stevie's welfare.
Comrade Ossipon
Ossipon interacts with Verloc's mother as a household acquaintance, showing little genuine interest.
Mr. Verloc
Verloc's mother-in-law lives with the family and is quietly manipulative, sacrificing her own comfort for Stevie's sake.
Stevie
Stevie's grandmother dotes on him and is deeply concerned for his safety and well-being.
Comrade Ossipon
Ossipon interacts with Verloc's mother as a household acquaintance, showing little genuine interest.
Stevie
Stevie's grandmother dotes on him and is deeply concerned for his safety and well-being.
Mrs. Verloc
Mother and daughter share a close but strained bond, with the mother sacrificing her place for Stevie's welfare.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mother in Chapter VI

In the story

Mother appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Secret Agent
Mrs. Verloc's mother, who lives with the family and is concerned about Stevie's future and the burden on the Verlocs.
I
Winnie's mother, a stout, wheezy woman with a black wig and swollen legs, who moved in with the Verlocs and feels relief from material cares.
II
Anxious about Stevie's future, grateful to Mr. Verloc for tolerating him, and reflects on Winnie's marriage.
Chapter VI
The great lady, a disciple of Michaelis, who influences the Assistant Commissioner's decisions; her kindness and wisdom are noted.
Chapter VIII
Mrs. Verloc's mother heroically leaves for the almshouse, driven by a strategic plan to secure Stevie's future and avoid the uncertainty of his fate after her death.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mother unlock in the free preview.

See Mother in Chapter VI