Mary Barton

by

Elizabeth Gaskell

Alice Wilson Character Analysis

Elderly, unwed Alice Wilson is aunt to Jem Wilson, godmother to Will Wilson, and family friend to Mary and John Barton. A medicine woman with wide knowledge of herbs, Alice is also deeply religious, taking everything that happens to her as God’s will and simply praying for patience and endurance. Early in the novel, she introduces Mary to Margaret, sparking the two girls’ close friendship. The same night that Harry Carson is murdered, Alice has a massive stroke. She survives for more than a week afterward, but she believes she is a child again. Her peaceful and Christian reminiscences touch everyone who visits her sickroom. Shortly after Jem’s trial, she dies.

Alice Wilson Quotes in Mary Barton

The Mary Barton quotes below are all either spoken by Alice Wilson or refer to Alice Wilson. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Employers vs. Workers Theme Icon
).
Chapter 5 Quotes

“Every sorrow in her mind is sent for good.”

Related Characters: Margaret (speaker), Mary Barton, Alice Wilson
Page Number: 44-45
Explanation and Analysis:
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Alice Wilson Quotes in Mary Barton

The Mary Barton quotes below are all either spoken by Alice Wilson or refer to Alice Wilson. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Employers vs. Workers Theme Icon
).
Chapter 5 Quotes

“Every sorrow in her mind is sent for good.”

Related Characters: Margaret (speaker), Mary Barton, Alice Wilson
Page Number: 44-45
Explanation and Analysis: