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The Way of the World · Character

Mrs. Fainall

Mirabell's former lover, now trapped in a marriage she despises, Mrs. Fainall knows too many secrets to be either safe or free.

supporting

Also known as cousin Fainall

First appearance: act i

As a supporting figure in The Way of the World, Mrs. Fainall is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Mrs. Fainall in act iBook page

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Mrs. Fainall married Fainall on Mirabell's advice to save her reputation, and she has regretted it ever since — 'While I only hated my husband, I could bear to see him; but since I have despised him, he's too…

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

See Mrs. Fainall in act i

Character Web

8 connections

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

SWSir Wilfull Wi…MMMrs. MillamantLWLady WishfortMIMirabellWIWitwoudMFMrs. Fainall

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Scheming social network
  • Protagonist

+3 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This scene represents the dramatic climax because Mrs. Marwood directly confronts Millamant with the truth tha…

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See Mrs. Fainall in act i
Who is Mrs. Fainall in The Way of the World?