# Alethea Pontifex — The Way of All Flesh character guide > Alethea Pontifex in The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Alethea, Miss Alethea Pontifex, Miss Pontifex, Aunt Alethea **First appearance:** 0010-viii ## Snapshot Ernest's aunt, the flower of the Pontifex flock, witty, independent, and quietly arranging her nephew's future from a sickbed. ## Who they are Alethea has loved the narrator for years without marrying him, and turns that clear-eyed affection onto Ernest, whose impulsiveness and conceit she reads better than anyone. When typhoid strikes, she summons her lawyer and arranges a secret trust so the boy can make his mistakes on his grandfather's money before inheriting hers. Her judgment of his character is the novel's quiet moral center. ## Relationships ### [Ernest Pontifex](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/characters/ernest_pontifex) _family_ Ernest's kind and free-thinking aunt, who becomes his true benefactor and emotional refuge from his parents. ### [Ernest Pontifex](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/characters/ernest_pontifex) _family_ Ernest's kind and free-thinking aunt, who becomes his true benefactor and emotional refuge from his parents. ### [Ernest Pontifex](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/characters/ernest_pontifex) _family_ Ernest's kind and free-thinking aunt, who becomes his true benefactor and emotional refuge from his parents. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/ii) George's youngest child, born in 1805 when her mother dies. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/iii) One of the five Pontifex grandchildren; the favorite of old Mr. Pontifex; the narrator fell in love with her. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/vii) Alethea is described as exceedingly pretty, lively, and affectionate, with a trace of her grandfather's fun-loving nature, contrasting with her siblings. ### [Theobald's Courtship and the Allaby Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/x) Alethea is Theobald's youngest sister, mentioned as the only woman he might have liked if she were not his sister. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xviii) Attends as godmother; described as the flower of the family; Overton's close friend and unrequited love. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xx) Warns Christina not to look at pictures of female beauty during pregnancy, but Christina persists. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xxvii) Mentioned as living in Roughborough; the narrator visits her on business during the Christmas holidays. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xxviii) Mentioned for her witty remarks about Dr. Skinner. ### [Alethea's Assessment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xxxii) Visits Ernest at Roughborough, assesses his character, and decides to take an interest in him. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xxxiii) Resolves to move to Roughborough to devote herself to Ernest; she considers her motives and plans to win over the boys and Dr. Skinner. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xxxiv) Devises the organ-building scheme to engage Ernest, sets up a workshop, and provides affectionate, hands-off support. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xxxv) Falls ill with typhoid fever, makes a secret will leaving money in trust for Ernest, and dies shortly after. ### [Chapter XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xxxvi) Dies after a brief illness; her will causes family conflict; buried at Paleham. ### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xxxvii) Alethea is deceased; her will leaves everything to Mr. Overton, causing family resentment. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xxxix) Mentioned as the aunt who gave Ernest the silver watch before she died. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xliv) Remembered fondly by Ernest as he passes the house she took for him; he regrets not showing her more gratitude and wonders how things might have been different had she lived. ### [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/lv) Ernest's deceased aunt; her money is accumulating for Ernest, which Overton regrets given Ernest's current path. ### [LXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/lxiii) Alethea is referenced indirectly through the narrator's decision to violate her instructions regarding Ernest's inheritance. ### [LXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/lxvi) Her deathbed instructions influence Overton's decision to help Ernest. ### [LXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/lxvii) Ernest recalls her advice about 'kissing the soil' and learning carpentering. ### [Chapter LXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/lxxviii) Ernest's aunt, who left him the inheritance. Her instructions to invest in Midland stock are followed, leading to great growth. ### [LXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/lxxix) Mentioned as the source of the fortune, with an understanding with Overton. ### [LXXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/lxxxi) Ernest's deceased aunt who left him the fortune, revealed through a deathbed letter. ### [LXXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/lxxxii) Mentioned as the source of Ernest's inherited fortune. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/characters/alethea_pontifex - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/characters