Miss Pross
Miss Pross is a character in Charles Dickens' novel, A Tale of Two Cities.
Overview
Miss Pross is Lucie Manette's no-nonsense governess and friend. She accompanies Lucie to Dover when Lucie goes to France to retrieve her father, Dr. Alexandre Manette, after his release from the Bastille, but her stout English patriotism causes her to stay in England. She is Lucie's constant companion accompanying her to the trial of Charles Darnay, to church, to just about everything. She is Lucie's shadow and protector, and overcomes her dislike of everything not English to accompany Lucie and her daughter to France when her husband Charles Darnay is arrested in Paris as an aristocrat and an emigrant. When Madame Therese Defarge comes to the home where they are staying in Paris to try and induce Lucie to speak against the new French Republic (a criminal act), Miss Pross tries to prevent her. In the fight that ensues, Madame Defarge's pistol goes off, killing her. Miss Pross leaves Madame Defarge's body there and escapes with Jerry Cruncher, but the psychological shock and the sound of the gun cause her to go deaf.
Cinematic and Theatrical Portrayals
In the 2008 Broadway adaptation of 'A Tale of Two Cities,' Miss Pross is played by Katherine McGrath.