The Well of Loneliness · Character

Wanda

A Polish woman who briefly stays with Stephen and Mary in Paris.

minor

Also known as this Wanda

First appearance: III

Wanda's tie to Stephen Gordon is one of the pressures that moves The Well of Loneliness—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

A Polish painter with genius; struggles with drink and passion; her hands remain steady despite her turmoil.

In the storyIOpen this moment free

See Wanda in I Book page

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With Stephen Gordon (friendship): Wanda is a fellow invert and part of Stephen's Paris circle, a supportive friend. With Mary Llewellyn (friendship): Mary and Wanda are friends within Stephen's Paris circle, sharing…

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

See Wanda in III

Character Web

36 connections

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

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Core characters and family
Extended cast and background figures
Protagonist

+31 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Stephen reaches an emotional and psychological peak when her "blinding flash of insight" reveals that Martin h…

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Relationships

Stephen Gordon
friendship · positive
Wanda is a fellow invert and part of Stephen's Paris circle, a supportive friend. How this plays out →
Mary Llewellyn
friendship · positive
Stephen Gordon
friendship · positive
Wanda is a fellow invert and part of Stephen's Paris circle, a supportive friend. How this plays out →
Stephen Gordon
friendship · positive
Wanda is a fellow invert and part of Stephen's Paris circle, a supportive friend. How this plays out →
Mary Llewellyn
friendship · positive
Mary Llewellyn
friendship · positive

Stephen Gordon
Wanda is a fellow invert and part of Stephen's Paris circle, a supportive friend.
Mary Llewellyn
Mary and Wanda are friends within Stephen's Paris circle, sharing social bonds.
Stephen Gordon
Wanda is a fellow invert and part of Stephen's Paris circle, a supportive friend.
Stephen Gordon
Wanda is a fellow invert and part of Stephen's Paris circle, a supportive friend.
Mary Llewellyn
Mary and Wanda are friends within Stephen's Paris circle, sharing social bonds.
Mary Llewellyn
Mary and Wanda are friends within Stephen's Paris circle, sharing social bonds.

Relationship notes

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

See Wanda in III

In the story

Wanda appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
II
I
II
II
III
IV
V
+2 more

I
A Polish painter with genius; struggles with drink and passion; her hands remain steady despite her turmoil.
II
A woman whose loves are wildly varied and directionless, like a rudderless bark tossed by the gale.
I
Religious fanatic who attended Midnight Mass, shares her faith and Polish background, teaches Stephen to dance.
II
Wanda clings to Stephen, struggles with sobriety, and engages in devout Catholic rituals at Sacré Cœur.
II
Drinks heavily and angrily defends her faith, causing a scene.
III
Seduced by the lust of the eye; drinks brandy; dances unsteadily with Dickie.
IV
Wanda is present at Alec's bar but is beyond dancing.
V
Drunken and needs to be carried upstairs by Stephen.
II
Mentioned by Martin as an example of the kind of people Mary has been forced to turn to.
III
Appears in Stephen's vision among the throng of suffering inverts.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Wanda unlock in the free preview.

See Wanda in III

See Wanda in I