Mrs. Prest
An American expatriate living in Venice who helps the narrator with his plan.
Core Belief
"Life is a game to be played with intelligence and a sense of detachment."
Worldview
Mrs. Prest sees the world as a stage for human drama, and she views herself as a discerning observer. She enjoys the company of interesting people and delights in the complexities of human relationships. She is skeptical of grand passions and prefers to maintain a safe distance from emotional entanglements.
Personality
Mrs. Prest is worldly, sophisticated, and somewhat cynical. She is amused by the narrator's obsession with Jeffrey Aspern and enjoys meddling in his affairs. She is intelligent and perceptive but ultimately more interested in entertainment than in genuine connection.
In Their Own Words
"Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger."
"One would think you expected to find in them the answer to the riddle of the universe."
"They’ll lead you on to your ruin. They’ll get all your money without showing you a scrap."
Discussions with Mrs. Prest
Other Characters from The Aspern Papers
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