# Widow Wadman — The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman character guide

> Widow Wadman in The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0030-book-ii

## Who they are

Alternate name for Mrs. Wadman, the amorous neighbor of Uncle Toby.

## In the story

### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/xxiv)

Referenced as the object of Uncle Toby's failed siege.

### [Chapter XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Object of Uncle Toby's courtship, mentioned as the subject of the memoirs.

### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Described as extremely concupiscible, the object of Uncle Toby's love.

### [Book VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/book-viii)

The object of Uncle Toby's affections; her strategic maneuvers in the courtship are a key focus.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/vi)

Feels something stirring in her favour towards Uncle Toby at first sight.

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

Her night-shifts are described in detail; she spends three nights contemplating her feelings for Uncle Toby, ultimately revealing her love.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/xi)

Loves Uncle Toby but her love is not returned.

### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/xiii)

Described as standing ready and caparisoned to watch accidents, indicating her strategic patience in matters of love.

### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/xiv)

Mrs. Wadman strategically uses the proximity of their gardens to observe and approach Uncle Toby.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/xvi)

Mrs. Wadman orchestrates a calculated series of maneuvers—taking his pipe, guiding his finger, pressing her hand and leg—to kindle Uncle Toby's passions.

### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/xxiv)

Pretends to have a mote in her eye to lure Toby into intimate proximity.

### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/xxvii)

The object of Uncle Toby's affection, mentioned as the woman he is in love with.

### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/xxviii)

Sits in council with Bridget, expressing fear about Uncle Toby's groin wound and its impact on his health.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/xvi)

Sits breathless behind the window-curtain, watching their approach.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/xx)

Blushes and internally debates whether to look at the place of Toby's wound.

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/xxvi)

Mrs. Wadman tries to learn the precise location of Uncle Toby's wound through indirect questioning and a military reenactment.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters/widow_wadman
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tristram_shandy_se/characters