Summary and Analysis
Book One:
Chapter 7
Summary
This chapter is one of character portrayal. Here the reader meets Mrs. Sparsit, a member of the ancient Powler stock. A widow left penniless by her spendthrift former husband, she serves as Bounderby's housekeeper. Depicted as a contrast to her employer, she does not contradict Bounderby to his face; however, she despises him for the uncouth person that he is. Here, too, the reader sees being planted the seeds of Bounderby's intentions of marrying Louisa. He hopes that Sissy will not corrupt Louisa, but that Louisa will be good for Sissy. The chapter concludes with Sissy's being told that she is ignorant and must forget the stories of Fairies and Fancy that she has read to her father.