Maisie Maiden Character Analysis in The Good Soldier

Maisie Maiden is a young, beautiful woman who is married to a deployed soldier. Edward is romantically interested in her, although she doesn’t know that. Leonora allows Edward to invite Maisie to Nauheim, even though she knows her husband’s intentions. When Maisie discovers the truth about Edward and Leonora inviting her to Nauheim to serve as Edward’s mistress, she immediately decides to leave Nauheim. However, while packing her suitcase, she has a heart attack and dies.

Maisie Maiden Character Timeline in The Good Soldier

The timeline below shows where the character Maisie Maiden appears in The Good Soldier. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...the condition to get out of the army and spend time with a girl named Maisie Maiden in Nauheim. (full context)

Class and Traditional Morality Theme Icon

Before explaining the importance of Maisie to his story, John makes a point to discuss Edward’s many affairs. Several years before... (full context)

...blackmailing Edward. Realizing his relationship with Mrs. Basil could not continue, Edward decided to pursue Maisie Maiden. Maisie was also married to a soldier, but he was on active duty. (full context)

...she must make the best of her situation. As such, she allowed Edward to pursue Maisie because she didn’t think Maisie or her husband would pose a threat to the Ashburnhams’... (full context)

...he'd been doing behind her back. Only a few hours after their fight, Leonora spotted Maisie leaving Edward’s room. Although nothing inappropriate occurred, this sight was one step too far for... (full context)

...that her relationship with Edward was primarily spiritual in nature, and she likens herself to Maisie Maiden. This comparison enraged Leonora, who told Florence that their behavior toward Maisie amounted to... (full context)

This reminiscence leads John to tell the story of Maisie’s death. The same day as their trip to M—, Leonora received a letter from Maisie.... (full context)

...happen. August 4th is when John and Florence were married, it is the day of Maisie’s death, and it is Florence’s birthday. Something important also happened on August 4th, 1913, although... (full context)

...moved away. After the Basils went away, the Ashburnhams moved to Chitral, where Edward met Maisie. By this time, Edward and Leonora were married only in the legal sense. Although they... (full context)

In Chitral, Edward immediately grows fond of Maisie. He spends as much time with her as he can, even as he and Leonora... (full context)

...they will be departing for Nauheim soon, Edward boldly asks Leonora if they can take Maisie with them. Surprisingly, Leonora accepts the request, even though she knows that Edward is likely... (full context)

...to feel alienated from his wife. He wonders whether she accepted his request to bring Maisie with them as a way of controlling his love life in a similar manner to... (full context)