# Mrs. Allaby — The Way of All Flesh character guide

> Mrs. Allaby in The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mr. Allaby, enthusiastic Mrs. Allaby, old Mr. Allaby

**First appearance:** 0008-vi

## Who they are

Christina's mother, a matchmaker for her daughters.

## In the story

### [The Way of All Flesh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/the-way-of-all-flesh)

Christina's mother, who encourages the match between Theobald and her daughter.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/ix)

Anxious mother of five unmarried daughters, seeks help from Mrs. Cowey to find a suitable young man to assist her husband and potentially marry a daughter.

### [Theobald's Courtship and the Allaby Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/x)

Mrs. Allaby is the enthusiastic mother who, along with her husband, orchestrates the courtship of Theobald for one of her daughters. She drives home with 'delightful visions' of the match.

### [Theobald's Courtship and the Allaby Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/x)

Mr. Allaby is the father of the five daughters, whose failing health provides the pretext for Theobald's visits. He suggests the daughters play cards to decide who will marry Theobald.

### [The Courtship of Theobald and Christina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xi)

Mrs. Allaby orchestrates the courtship, sending away rival sisters and encouraging Theobald with motherly interest and praise of Christina.

### [The Courtship of Theobald and Christina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xi)

Mr. Allaby grows impatient with the prolonged courtship and the expense of hiring assistance, eventually forcing Theobald's hand with a pointed remark.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xii)

Christina's mother, who along with Christina, believes they can manage Theobald.

### [The Honeymoon Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xiii)

Mr. Allaby is relieved after the wedding, sighing with relief and shutting the gate as the carriage departs.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/characters/mrs_allaby
- 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