Spinster family caretaker for their family of origin or for a married sibling's children, "poor relations" who would work "to earn their keep" as nannies or unpaid domestics. For example, being a governess was the fate expected by rejected titular orphan in Charlotte Brontë's novel "Jane Eyre" (1847); Eyre retained that status until the man she loved was widowed and available. A common theme in the fiction writings of author/poet Sandra Cisneros is marital disillusionment; for example. in the poem "Old Maids" (1994). In the Charles Dickens' classic "Great Expectations", the primary antagonist is Miss Havisham, a spinster embittered by being
Francis Dickens cities. Francis Dickens is a character in Matthew Pearl's 2009 novel, "The Last Dickens". Dickens also appears in Bill Gallaher's "The Frog Lake Massacre" (2008). "The Diary of Francis Dickens", edited by Vernon LaChance, Kingston Jackson Press, 1930 "Francis Jeffrey Dickens", The Canadian Encyclopedia, (entry by John Evans) Eric Nicol, "Dickens of the Mounted: The Astounding Long-lost Letters of Inspector F. Dickens NWMP 1874–1886." (1989) McClelland & Stewart "Francis J. Dickens, An Ordinary Officer", "Beaver" Vol.78, No.3 June/July 1998 David J. Carter "Inspector F.J. Dickens: "The Christmas Carol baby"" (1998) Francis Dickens Francis Jeffrey Dickens (15 January 1844 – 11