The Talented Mr. Ripley

by

Patricia Highsmith

Tom's much-loathed Aunt Dottie raised him in Boston after his parents’ death, though she constantly complained about it. She teased and taunted Tom cruelly, and often called him a “sissy,” comparing him to his father, whom she insisted had also been a “sissy.” She sends Tom infrequent checks and he occasionally writes letters to her.
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Aunt Dottie Character Timeline in The Talented Mr. Ripley

The timeline below shows where the character Aunt Dottie appears in The Talented Mr. Ripley. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 6
Obsession, Identity, and Imitation Theme Icon
Appearance vs. Reality  Theme Icon
Escapes Theme Icon
...lurid observations of Marge and Dickie’s relationship. He writes and sends a letter to his Aunt Dottie , “cutting himself off from her.” He is eager for distance from her snide letters,... (full context)
Chapter 12
Obsession, Identity, and Imitation Theme Icon
Appearance vs. Reality  Theme Icon
...a “sharp thrust of shame,” remembering both Dickie and Marge’s questioning of his sexuality and Aunt Dottie ’s labeling of him as a “sissy.” (full context)