The Story of the Treasure Seekers · Character

Dora Bastable

The eldest Bastable child, a motherly mender of stockings and dampener of schemes, who often says 'it was all very well' before the others do it anyway.

major

Also known as Miss Dora, Presently Dora

First appearance: The Story of the Treasure Seekers

As a major figure in The Story of the Treasure Seekers, Dora Bastable is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The eldest sister, often responsible and practical.

In the storyThe Story of the Treasure SeekersOpen this moment free

Dora is the eldest of the six Bastables and the only one who ever tries to mend anything, forever patching Noël's torn stockings while the others plot treasure. She is cautious and responsible, the voice that says a plan is all very well, yet she rarely stops the younger ones from carrying it out. Her steady presence anchors the household in the absence of their mother, and her quiet resistance to Oswald's grander ideas gives the treasure-seeking its affectionate friction.

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Character Web

17 connections

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

Relationship types

Family
Other

Character groups

Bastable Family Circle
Protagonist

+12 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Closing

This moment is the story's dramatic climax because it represents the peak of the children's anxiety and desper…

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Relationships

Oswald Bastable
family · positive
Dora is the eldest sister and often acts as a maternal figure to Oswald and the other… How this plays out →
Alice Bastable
family · positive
Dicky Bastable
family · positive
Oswald Bastable
family · positive
Dora is the eldest sister and often acts as a maternal figure to Oswald and the other… How this plays out →
Alice Bastable
family · positive
Oswald Bastable
family · positive
Dora is the eldest sister and often acts as a maternal figure to Oswald and the other… How this plays out →
Alice Bastable
family · positive
Dicky Bastable
family · positive
Dicky Bastable
family · positive

Oswald Bastable
Dora is the eldest sister and often acts as a maternal figure to Oswald and the other children.
Alice Bastable
Alice and Dora are sisters, with Dora often taking a responsible, older-sister role toward Alice.
Dicky Bastable
Dicky and Dora are siblings, with Dora often scolding or guiding Dicky in his more reckless moments.
Oswald Bastable
Dora is the eldest sister and often acts as a maternal figure to Oswald and the other children.
Alice Bastable
Alice and Dora are sisters, with Dora often taking a responsible, older-sister role toward Alice.
Oswald Bastable
Dora is the eldest sister and often acts as a maternal figure to Oswald and the other children.
Alice Bastable
Alice and Dora are sisters, with Dora often taking a responsible, older-sister role toward Alice.
Dicky Bastable
Dicky and Dora are siblings, with Dora often scolding or guiding Dicky in his more reckless moments.
Dicky Bastable
Dicky and Dora are siblings, with Dora often scolding or guiding Dicky in his more reckless moments.

Relationship notes

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

See Dora Bastable in The Story of the Treasure Seekers

In the story

Dora Bastable appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Story of the Treasure Seekers
The eldest sister, often responsible and practical.
The Council of Ways and Means
Eldest sister, tries to mend stockings, chairs the council, and suggests digging for treasure.
II: Digging for Treasure
Excused from the tunnel due to her dislike of worms; expresses regret about Albert's accident.
Being Detectives
Expresses reluctance about detective work involving murder; leaves the tent early.
Good Hunting
Sews buttons on H.O.'s clothes; copies out Noël's poems for submission.
VI: Noël’s Princess
Plays the female role Gabrielle; conducts the wedding ceremony with her handkerchief.
VII: Being Bandits
Absent at Stroud; the children plan the bandit game while she is away because she thought it would be wrong.
Being Editors
Co-editor; initially editor but shares duties with Oswald; writes Chapter I of the serial story.
X: Lord Tottenham
Refuses to participate in the scheme, sits in the dining-room with a goody-book, and later says 'I told you so.'
Castilian Amoroso
Contributes her godmother's money to the scheme, expresses moral doubts, and later breaks down crying, feeling she has failed her mother's dying wish.
The Robber and the Burglar
Expresses fear and suggests calling the police; stays upstairs with Noël.
XIV: The Divining-Rod
Helps organize the children; makes the laurel crown for Noël; participates in the treasure hunt and later plans the feast.
XV: “Lo, the Poor Indian!”
Expresses sympathy for the poor Indian and emphasizes that poverty is no disgrace.
The End of the Treasure-Seeking
Persuades Father to stay home and makes him gruel; scolds Oswald for teasing H.O.

Chapter companion notes

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