Auntie Dee / Mrs. Tracey Character Analysis

Auntie Dee is the sister of Keith’s mother, mother of Milly, and wife of Uncle Peter. Unlike her sister, who is composed and collected, Auntie Dee is described as short, hectic, and cheerful. In contrast to the Haywards’ meticulous aesthetic, Auntie Dee’s house is untidy, which instead “reflected the glory of Uncle Peter.” Unlike most sisterly relationships, as Stephen judges, Auntie Dee is particularly close with Keith’s mother, who is always doing her shopping for her. It later turns out that the two were secretly looking after Uncle Peter, but they have a falling out when it is revealed that Keith’s mother and Uncle Peter have an affair together. Auntie Dee is the only adult from Keith’s family who actually addresses Stephen by his name.