Duchess

Also known as the Dutchess

Supporting
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 1

Gender: female
First appears: Book 1 · Ch. 1
Books: 1

Description

A human woman with an unusually sharp, pointed chin and an ugly, angular face. She is just tall enough for her chin to rest on Alice’s shoulder, and appears in a domestic kitchen setting, seated on a three-legged stool while nursing a baby. Her hair and clothing are not specified in the text; a simple, old-fashioned dress suits the story’s Victorian-inspired world. The Duchess is described as very ugly, with a notably sharp chin. No details are given about her complexion, hair, eyes, or build, so these should not be supplied. She appears in the smoky kitchen and later walking arm in arm with Alice; her bearing can seem both forceful and unexpectedly affectionate, making her presence difficult to settle into one mood.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

B
Babymother and child
The Duchess nurses the baby while singing a violent lullaby and violently shaking it, before giving it to Alice.
Aliceconflicting source relationships
The Duchess greets Alice warmly, links arms with her, and walks with her; Alice tolerates the Duchess’s intrusive closeness and later helps resolve the Cheshire Cat dispute by identifying its owner.
Cheshire Catconflicting source relationships
Alice identifies the Cheshire Cat as belonging to the Duchess, and the court’s dispute over how to execute it is referred to her.
White Rabbitconflicting source relationships
The Rabbit is anxious that the Duchess will punish him for keeping her waiting, suggesting she has authority over him.
DC
Duchess's Cookemployer and employee
The cook works in the Duchess's kitchen, throwing objects at the Duchess and baby while preparing soup.
Queen of Heartsconflicting source relationships
The Queen says the Duchess is under sentence because she boxed the Queen’s ears and threatens to execute her; the Duchess flees when confronted.