# Mr. Ward — Years of Grace character guide > Mr. Ward in Years of Grace by Margaret Ayer Barnes. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mrs. Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Ward **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Who they are Jane's cheerful, newspaper-buried father, the one parent who seems to like her exactly as she is and quietly believes in freedom. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Jane's father; supports Jane's decision to go to the concert. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Jane's mother; disapproves of the outing but reluctantly allows it. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Intervenes gently but firmly, forbidding the engagement and supporting the no-contact rule. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Accompanies Jane to Bryn Mawr, expresses pride and hope for her future, and enjoys the campus atmosphere. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Mr. Ward is emotional about Isabel's wedding and supports Jane's return to college. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Mrs. Ward initially opposes Jane's return to Bryn Mawr but relents after learning about Flora and Muriel. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Jane's mother is concerned about Jane's wardrobe and the baby's warmth, and disapproves of the rumored relationship between Muriel and Bert. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) The family patriarch, whose illness and death are foreshadowed. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Brings a crepe veil for Flora and attempts to offer comfort, but is rebuffed by Mr. Furness. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Pleads with Jane to consider Stephen Carver as a suitable husband. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Returns home with newspapers, greets Agnes warmly, discusses Cuba and the President's message, and advises Jane not to get too attached to anyone. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Mr. Ward is mentioned as Jane's father, whose chair she sits in during the post-skating snack. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Announces that the Maine explosion means war, argues with Mrs. Ward about Spanish civilization and Robin's duty, and dismisses immediate enlistment. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Hopes war can be avoided, worries about Isabel's health if Robin enlists, and suggests bachelors should go first. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Mr. Ward discusses the war with the men, asserting that Roosevelt is right and that the outcome is only a matter of days. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Jane's father, who escorts her down the aisle and speaks of the naval war. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Father figure, present in domestic scenes and family discussions. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Mrs. Ward, the mother, represents the older generation's strict moral views on marriage and infidelity. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Mr. Ward watches Jane intently after she returns from the walk. ### [Mrs. Lester's Seventy-Fifth Birthday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Attends the party, talks with Jane about her activities and Jimmy Trent. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Advises Jane to avoid all appearance of evil, showing concern for her reputation. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Sits with Jane in the library, discusses his parenting techniques, and admits he has retired from family decision-making, now a spectator. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Bustles in with Isabel, insists on controlling the grandchildren, and recalls her own parenting of Jane and Isabel. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Mr. Ward is bedridden with double pneumonia, resting under the care of a nurse. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Mrs. Ward is exhausted and emotional, having stayed up all night with her husband. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Lies dying, his face and breathing showing the exhaustion of approaching death; dies during the chapter. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Sits on the sofa, grief-stricken and exhausted, watching her husband die. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Recently deceased; Jane wishes he could have seen his great-grandson. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/vi) Sits wrapped in a shawl, offers tart comments, and is increasingly ignored in family discussions. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Hosts the family dinner, anxious about details, wears a new black silk dress. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/mr_ward - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters