# Mrs. Solent — Wolf Solent character guide > Mrs. Solent in Wolf Solent by John Cowper Powys. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Wolf, But Wolf, Solent, Hurriedly Wolf, Wolf Solent, Dear Wolf, little Wolf **First appearance:** 0001-wolf-solent ## Snapshot Wolf's mother, a handsome, high-pitched ironist who treats other people's secrets as her natural playground and her son as her favourite audience. ## Who they are She descends on Blackslope society with radiant exultation, poking rhubarb leaves under Jason Otter's hat and demanding to be shown Mr. Redfern's grave as if it were a party trick. Her audacity both amuses and mortifies Wolf, who cannot decide whether she is protecting him or performing for him. Her presence sharpens the novel's central question of how much of a parent a grown son can ever escape. ## Relationships ### [Christie Malakite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/christie_malakite) _psychological_ Christie is a mysterious, almost supernatural figure who exerts a strange, obsessive influence over Mrs. Solent, blending fascination with dread. ### [Gerda Torp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/gerda_torp) _rivalry_ Gerda, as Wolf's earthy lover, is in direct conflict with Mrs. Solent's possessive, controlling nature over her son. ### [Jason Otter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/jason_otter) _social_ Jason Otter is a local eccentric and acquaintance whose interactions with Mrs. Solent are marked by gossip and village social dynamics. ### [Bob Weevil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/bob_weevil) _social_ Bob Weevil is a village character who engages with Mrs. Solent in the context of local affairs and minor conflicts. ### [John Urquhart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/john_urquhart) _professional_ John Urquhart is a landowner and employer who interacts with Mrs. Solent regarding estate matters and local power structures. ### [Darnley Otter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/darnley_otter) _social_ Darnley Otter, brother of Jason, is a peripheral figure in Mrs. Solent's social circle, involved in village life. ### [Mattie Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/mattie_smith) _social_ Mattie Smith is a local woman whose interactions with Mrs. Solent are rooted in community and domestic matters. ### [Mr. Manley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/mr_manley) _professional_ Mr. Manley is likely a servant or tradesman who has a formal, transactional relationship with Mrs. Solent. ### [Roger Monk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/roger_monk) _psychological_ Roger Monk is a figure from Mrs. Solent's past, representing a repressed, obsessive connection that haunts her present. ### [Mrs. Herbert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/mrs_herbert) _friendship_ Mrs. Herbert is a confidante and neighbor who shares gossip and support with Mrs. Solent in their daily lives. ### [Miss Malakite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/miss_malakite) _psychological_ Miss Malakite, Christie's relative, is entangled with Mrs. Solent in a web of eerie, manipulative family secrets. ### [Wolf Solent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/wolf_solent) _family_ Mrs. Solent is Wolf's mother, and their relationship is intensely possessive, controlling, and emotionally suffocating. ## In the story ### [Wolf Solent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/wolf-solent) The protagonist, traveling to Ramsgard for a new position. ### [Wolf Solent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/wolf-solent) Wolf's mother, mentioned in his thoughts and background. ### [The Face on the Waterloo Steps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-face-on-the-waterloo-steps) Protagonist traveling to Ramsgard, reflecting on his past and his private 'mythology'. ### [The Face on the Waterloo Steps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-face-on-the-waterloo-steps) Wolf's mother, mentioned in his memories of her reaction to his dismissal and his childhood. ### [Christ! I've Had a Happy Life!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/christ-i-ve-had-a-happy-life) Wolf grapples with his mother's portrayal of Selena Gault, his father's death, and his own secret inner life as he travels to Pond Cottage. ### [A Dorset Chronicle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/a-dorset-chronicle) Dines with Mr. Urquhart, feels a growing hostility and sense of moral opposition. ### [Gerda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/gerda) Wolf awakens in his new room, reflects on his philosophy of 'fetish-worship,' and begins his work for Mr. Urquhart. ### [The Blackbird's Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-blackbird-s-song) Wolf successfully completes the book purchase for Mr. Urquhart, visits Christie Malakite, encounters Mr. Valley, and spends a twilight interlude with Gerda Torp. ### [Bar Sinister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/bar-sinister) Wolf arranges lodging at Lenty Cottage, negotiates with Mr. Urquhart and Mrs. Otter, and learns about the pond's dark history. ### [Yellow Bracken](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/yellow-bracken) Visits T. E. Valley, experiences a mystical vision of a centaur, and meets Gerda and Lobbie by the river. ### [The Three Peewits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-three-peewits) Wolf navigates a tense barroom confrontation, drinks brandy, and restrains himself from violence upon hearing insults about Gerda and his father. ### [The Horse-Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-horse-fair) Attends the horse-fair with his mother, observes the crowd and the driving-contest, feels liberated then disgusted, and interacts with Mr. Urquhart and Jason Otter. ### [The Horse-Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-horse-fair) Accompanies Wolf to the fair, greets Mr. Albert Smith cordially, and impresses Wolf with her haughty profile and social ease. ### [Christie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/christie) Wolf visits Christie alone, discusses Olwen, and feels a profound attraction to Christie while struggling with his loyalty to Gerda. ### [The Tea-Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-tea-party) Observes the tea party with unease, later reflects on his conflicted feelings for Gerda and Christie. ### [The Tea-Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-tea-party) Arrives unexpectedly, helps Gerda prepare, and later hints at Gerda's possible infidelity with Bob Weevil. ### [The Slowworm of Lenty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-slowworm-of-lenty) Struggles with jealousy over Bob Weevil and his divided affections between Gerda and Christie; experiences intense erotic union with Gerda; later listens to Jason's poem and refuses to return the jade idol. ### [Home for Bastards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/home-for-bastards) Wolf learns of his father's death and financial ruin, and struggles with the responsibility of finding a home for Mattie and Olwen. ### [Home for Bastards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/home-for-bastards) Mrs. Solent drives to Ramsgard with Wolf and later leaves a message about Mr. Smith's death. ### [Crooked Smoke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/crooked-smoke) Wolf visits Mr. Urquhart, reflects on death and memory, and accompanies the Squire to Lenty Pond. ### [Rounded with a Sleep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/rounded-with-a-sleep) Engages in a philosophical argument with his father's skull, feels jealousy of Poll's Camp for Gerda's attention, and fantasizes about Christie Malakite. ### [A Game of Bowls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/a-game-of-bowls) Struggles with moral doubts about his work on Urquhart's book; attends the bowling match and finds temporary solace. ### [This Is Reality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/this-is-reality) Wolf is overwhelmed by jealousy and a sense of personal disintegration after suspecting Gerda's infidelity with Bob Weevil. ### [This Is Reality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/this-is-reality) Wolf's mother is mentioned in his thoughts as he recalls her conversation with Lord Carfax about free love. ### [The School-Treat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-school-treat) Observes the confrontation between his mother and Gerda with detached aesthetic interest; later umpires cricket and grapples with jealousy upon seeing Gerda with Bob Weevil. ### [The School-Treat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-school-treat) Proposes filling a molehill as 'sport,' provoking Gerda's anger; maintains a calm, condescending demeanor but is inwardly ruffled by the scene. ### [Wine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/wine) Resolves to return to Urquhart for money to help his mother and Gerda, struggles with guilt and jealousy. ### [Wine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/wine) Contemplates starting a teashop and borrowing money from Mr. Manley; Wolf finds her with Manley. ### [Mr. Malakite at Weymouth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/mr-malakite-at-weymouth) Wolf struggles with his inner conflict between preserving his 'mythology' and his desire for Christie, ultimately restrained by the memory of a tramp's face. ### [Slate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/slate) Completes Urquhart's book, teaches at Grammar School, and decides to return the cheque. ### [The Quick or the Dead?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-quick-or-the-dead) Wakes beside Gerda, suspects her infidelity, resolves to love her; later visits his father's grave and confronts Selena Gault. ### [The Quick or the Dead?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-quick-or-the-dead) Referenced by Selena Gault as 'Ann Haggard' and accused of cruelty; Wolf sides with her. ### [Lenty Pond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/lenty-pond) Observes the grave-digging with cold impassiveness, later feels shame at his dependency and seeks Christie. ### [Forget](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/forget) Wolf feels hollow and overwhelmed, dreams of breaking between two forces, and plans for the wedding day. ### [Ripeness Is All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/ripeness-is-all) Feels piqued and humiliated by Lord Carfax's indifference, reflects on the loss of his mythology, and longs for Christie. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/mrs_solent - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters