# Lady Anna Gordon — The Well of Loneliness character guide > Lady Anna Gordon in The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Anna, Anna Gordon, Lady Anna, Anna Molloy **First appearance:** 0003-book-i ## Snapshot Stephen's mother, a woman of rigid propriety whose inability to accept her daughter's nature turns Morton from refuge into a place of exile. ## Who they are Lady Anna Gordon presides over Morton with the cool correctness of her class, and from Stephen's childhood she has registered her daughter as something wrong, something to be managed. When scandal breaks over Angela Crossby, her judgment is swift and merciless, and her refusal to love Stephen as she is becomes the wound the novel never quite closes. To Mary, she is the unseen mother-in-law who 'could never have loved' Stephen—the reason Morton can never be shared. ## In the story ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/book-i) Stephen's mother, distant and disapproving of Stephen's nature. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Stephen's mother, who is disappointed that the child is not a son and remains emotionally distant. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Wife of Sir Philip; conceives after ten years of marriage; imagines carrying a son but gives birth to a daughter. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Grieves at first for not giving her husband a son, but later finds joy in her daughter. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Anna struggles with a deep, secret antagonism toward Stephen, feeling guilty and unnatural. She prays for guidance and fears her husband will discover her true feelings. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Anna is distant and disapproving of Stephen, contributing to Stephen's sense of rejection and confusion about her own identity. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Mentions Stephen's prayers at bedtime, but her presence is distant and conventional. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned in the portrait with Stephen; Sir Philip is tender to her and fears her questions. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v) Sends for the doctor when Stephen becomes languid and refuses food. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/vi) Returns home after the incident, tries to comfort Stephen but feels awkward and nonplussed by her daughter's unusual composure. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Anna is emotionally distant from Stephen, contributing to Stephen's sense of rejection and isolation. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Tries to be gentle with Stephen, fondling her more diligently, but is haunted by the memory of the son of her dreams; feels a brief connection with Stephen in the meadow. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Anna is gracious and lovely in public, but feels uneasy with Stephen's protective gestures and wonders about her child's feelings and intelligence. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv) Her beauty captivates Stephen, but she remains absorbed in her relationship with Sir Philip. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv) Struggles to connect with Stephen after Sir Philip's death, unable to accept Stephen's true nature. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Stephen's mother, who objects to Stephen riding astride but is outmaneuvered by Stephen's stubbornness. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v) Stephen's mother, who remains distant and disapproving, contributing to Stephen's sense of rejection. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv) Confronts Sir Philip about Stephen's upbringing, expresses fear and bewilderment, and feels estranged from her child. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Appears content that Stephen is becoming proficient in French, and looks less anxious. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Expresses disapproval of gymnastics and fencing, but is ignored by Stephen. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Disapproves of Stephen's masculine activities like fencing, but shows a moment of tenderness by patting Raftery, though she ultimately shrinks back from Stephen. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as Stephen's mother; Sir Philip notes she has been patient with his unusual methods and will be the judge of their success. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/vii) Becomes more distant and disapproving of Stephen, contributing to Stephen's sense of rejection and isolation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Dislikes the motorcar, feeling it offends her sense of the feminine and comely; shows a tendency towards retrogression and fear of the unknown. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/viii) Lady Anna's relationship with Stephen is strained, reflecting the societal and familial pressures on Stephen. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Clashes with Stephen over clothing, tries to make her wear feminine dresses, and is gentle but disapproving. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Anna worries continually over Stephen's social failures and finds her daughter's behavior at parties embarrassing and difficult to manage. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Stephen's mother, who insists on dressing her in feminine clothes and tries to cover up Stephen's social blunders. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Feels excluded from the intellectual bond between Sir Philip and Stephen, leading to resentment, guilt, and silent prayers for peace. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Anna is tormented by her husband's nocturnal restlessness and her own estrangement from her daughter, creeping to Stephen's room to watch her sleep and recalling her infancy. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Lady Anna is seen through Stephen's eyes as a perfect, nature-embracing woman, yet now also afflicted by the same deep trouble. Stephen loves her less instinctively than her father, but feels compelled to serve her for his sake. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Leads the Christmas rituals, lights the tree candles, distributes gifts to servants and villagers, and appears weary. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Invites Martin to visit Morton after the dance, showing support for Stephen's new friendship. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Welcomes Martin, spoiling him as a surrogate son and doctoring him when he falls ill. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Grows bold in her hopes for Stephen's future, planning a conventional marriage and family. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as Stephen's mother, who was unable to accept Stephen's nature. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Stephen's mother, who refrains from questioning Stephen but expresses disappointment to her husband. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Feels betrayed and replaced by Stephen, accuses Philip of favoring their daughter, and torments Stephen with questions about Martin. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Anna is deeply unhappy and quarrels with Sir Philip, unaware of the truth about Stephen. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Anna arrives distraught, speaking to her dying husband with tender, lover-like words, revealing the depth of their bond. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Kisses her dying husband passionately, holding him as he dies. ### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/book-ii) Stephen's mother; her rejection and lack of understanding deepen Stephen's isolation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Becomes a quiet, grief-stricken woman, aloof from Stephen despite their shared loss. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/xvi) Present at Morton, dealing with her husband's illness and Stephen's return. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Anna accepts the changes calmly and rarely opposes Stephen in matters concerning Morton. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as having withdrawn opposition to Stephen's tailor-made clothes. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/xviii) Present at Morton, representing the conventional world Stephen cannot fully inhabit. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Is coldly polite to Angela during tea, showing disapproval. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/xix) Appears distant and unchanged, embodying the emotional chill that Stephen associates with Morton and her family. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Appears blind to Stephen's change, growing more silent and abstracted; Puddle fears what will happen if she ever learns the truth. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Unwell, travels to Cornwall with Stephen; reads placidly and asks few questions. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Described as beautiful and calm but emotionally distant; fails to recognize Stephen's distress, responding with a yawn and a trivial comment. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv) Accompanies Stephen in London, suffers a headache, and is unaware of Stephen's true purpose for the trip. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/xxiii) Present at Morton, representing the conventional world Stephen no longer belongs to. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Confronts Stephen with the letters, expresses physical repulsion and condemnation, and insists Stephen leave Morton for the sake of her father's honor. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Anna is referenced as having defiled Stephen's love and told Stephen to take what she pleased from the study. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Stephen's mother, with whom she shares long, painful silences. Anna is proud of Stephen's success but cannot look her in the eye. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v) Awkwardly interacts with Stephen about the burial and offers to place a stone. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Stephen's mother, who insisted Stephen attend the Carringtons' luncheon. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v) Stephen bitterly recalls her mother's cruel words and accusing eyes, and addresses her letter to 'The Lady Anna Gordon,' severing their relationship. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Anna writes calm, friendly letters to Puddle without mentioning Stephen, causing Puddle to feel afraid of her. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/xxxiii) Mentioned in the context of the household Stephen left behind. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as Stephen's mother; Stephen no longer lives with her. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/xxxiv) Present in the house but emotionally distant from Stephen during her visit. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Writes from Morton about the war's impact on the estate; offers Morton to the Red Cross. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v) Holding Morton together with Mr. Percival, managing the estate during wartime. ### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/book-iv) Stephen's mother, who is distant and disapproving, contributing to Stephen's sense of rejection and isolation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Stephen's mother, now frail with white hair; shares a tense but peaceful visit with Stephen at Morton. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/xxxvi) Present at Morton, her coldness and disapproval contribute to Mary's distress. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as Stephen's mother, whom Mary thinks lovely. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Writes to Stephen with news of Roger Antrim's death. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as having written a letter to Stephen; Stephen writes to announce her visit. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv) Anna is told of Stephen's travel plans and responds with a mild, approving remark. ### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/book-v) Coldly dismisses Stephen after the revelation, solidifying their estrangement. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/xlii) Aged and frail, she is confronted by Stephen about Sir Philip's secret, revealing her own pain and complicity. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Writes a letter inviting Stephen but not Mary; remembered for her past cruelty and faraway eyes. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) The other woman awaiting Stephen at Morton; Mary feels Lady Anna could never have loved Stephen and suspects she knows the truth about their relationship. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/xliii) Present at Morton, representing the conventional world Stephen feels excluded from. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Refuses to discuss Mary, maintains a cold silence, slighting Mary by omission. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Writes at some length to her daughter Stephen. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/xlix) Mentioned in Stephen's reflections on the family's past and her mother's role. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Her attitude toward Mary remains unsoftened, contributing to Stephen's decision not to visit Morton. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned by Mary as one of those who closed their doors to them. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/lii) Mentioned as part of Stephen's family past at Morton. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/liii) Mentioned in the context of the family estate and Stephen's memories. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/anna_gordon - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters