# Katie — Zuleika Dobson character guide

> Katie in Zuleika Dobson by Max Beerbohm.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Modern Katie, Intensive Katie

**First appearance:** 0004-ii

## Snapshot

Zuleika's maid, briskly modern in outlook, who follows her mistress into Oxford and sees more of the truth than anyone around her.

## Who they are

Katie attends Zuleika through her triumphs, a practical presence amid the incense and emeralds, and her modern opinions make her a quiet counterweight to the antique romance of Oxford. Devoted yet clear-eyed, she registers the absurdity of what the undergraduates are doing even as her mistress basks in it. She matters because she gives the reader a level-headed vantage on Zuleika's spell — someone close enough to see the machinery behind the wonder.

## Relationships

### [Duke of Dorset](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/characters/duke_of_dorset)

_professional_

Katie is the Duke's devoted housemaid, who secretly loves him but serves him with quiet loyalty.

### [Zuleika Dobson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/characters/zuleika_dobson)

_psychological_

Katie is jealous of Zuleika's hold over the Duke, but also fascinated and intimidated by her glamour.

### [Noaks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/characters/noaks)

_friendship_

Katie and Noaks share a bond of mutual sympathy as outsiders, both nursing unrequited feelings for the Duke and Zuleika respectively.

### [Clarence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/characters/clarence)

_romantic_

Clarence, a fellow servant, is in love with Katie and tries to win her affection, but she remains devoted to the Duke.

### [Mrs. Batch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/characters/mrs_batch)

_professional_

Katie and Mrs. Batch work together as servants, with Mrs. Batch acting as a senior figure and confidante to Katie.

### [Noaks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/characters/noaks)

_friendship_

Katie and Noaks share a bond of mutual sympathy as outsiders, both nursing unrequited feelings for the Duke and Zuleika respectively.

### [Duke of Dorset](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/characters/duke_of_dorset)

_professional_

Katie is the Duke's devoted housemaid, who secretly loves him but serves him with quiet loyalty.

### [Clarence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/characters/clarence)

_romantic_

Clarence, a fellow servant, is in love with Katie and tries to win her affection, but she remains devoted to the Duke.

### [Zuleika Dobson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/characters/zuleika_dobson)

_psychological_

Katie is jealous of Zuleika's hold over the Duke, but also fascinated and intimidated by her glamour.

### [Clarence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/characters/clarence)

_romantic_

Clarence, a fellow servant, is in love with Katie and tries to win her affection, but she remains devoted to the Duke.

### [Zuleika Dobson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/characters/zuleika_dobson)

_psychological_

Katie is jealous of Zuleika's hold over the Duke, but also fascinated and intimidated by her glamour.

### [Mrs. Batch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/characters/mrs_batch)

_professional_

Katie and Mrs. Batch work together as servants, with Mrs. Batch acting as a senior figure and confidante to Katie.

## In the story

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

Cleans the doorstep, intercepts Zuleika's letter, and confronts Mélisande with hostility, refusing to wake the Duke.

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

Katie appears briefly at the doorway to ask about luncheon, showing her devotion to the Duke and her awareness of Zuleika's presence.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/chapters/xvii)

The landlady's daughter who serves the Duke; he questions her about her love for him and gives her the pearls, leading to a misunderstanding.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/chapters/xviii)

Weeps at the Duke's departure, is turned to stone by his regalia, and is kissed by him on the doorstep.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/chapters/xix)

Briefly mentioned as the Duke kissed her goodbye and then lost sight of her.

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

Faints upon hearing of the Duke's death, then expresses grief by black-leading the doorstep, her personal ritual of love.

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/chapters/xxii)

Reveals the Duke gave her earrings and kissed her; later becomes engaged to Noaks.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/characters/katie
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/characters