The Story of Ivy · Character
Mrs. Gretorex
Roger Gretorex's mother, a presence in his shabby household whose claims on her son complicate the doctor's entanglement with Ivy.
supporting
Also known as Gretorex
First appearance: iv
As a supporting figure in The Story of Ivy, Mrs. Gretorex is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Receives Roger with welcome but becomes anxious; briefly suspects Ivy of poisoning Jervis, then fears for her son's safety.
Mrs. Gretorex presides over the modest mid-Victorian house off the Embankment where Roger sees his poorer patients and where Ivy enters by the back surgery to avoid notice. Her son's devotion to her, and the household routines she governs, form the respectable life he keeps separate from his hopeless passion. That divided loyalty matters because it limits how far Roger can be drawn into Ivy's schemes, and because his mother's world is one Ivy can never quite enter or dismiss.
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Character Web
13 connectionsA slice of how Mrs. Gretorex sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Main household & mystery
- Background & supporting cast
+8 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
This is the story's dramatic climax because Ivy experiences a psychological peak of "utter, numb despair" afte…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingIn the story
Mrs. Gretorex appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Gretorex unlock in the free preview.
See Mrs. Gretorex in iv