What do you make of Dinah's character? Why do you think she feels so invested in Isabella's fate?

Dinah tells Cassandra: "The difference between you and me, Madam…is my meddling's done all to the good." What do you make of Dinah's character? Why do you think she feels so invested in Isabella's fate?

I think servants of the time had their whole futures invested in their mistresses. Dinah's life depended on serving Isabella! If Isabella did not make wise choices with her future then Dinah might not have a future. If she could not be in service, it could mean the difference between life and death.

Servants were in the background and aware of much more than is given them credit. I think she had loyalty to Isabella not only for the sake of job security but that she also saw qualities in her that others missed. I think she sympathized with her loneliness.

I love the character of Dinah, and in my mind she is the most lively character in the entire novel. She adds humor when and where it is sorely needed throughout the plotline. Initially her actions and comments seemed to make her appear "less than, " but Hornby wisely recognizes that her vision of the situation is probably the most accurate of all. In the end, it is she who saves the day for Isabella. When Cassie thinks that she has found the ideal arrangement for Isabella, Dinah is none to happy - because she knows more than Cassie and has her own end game in mind - one which will not only assure her own future, but will bring happiness and security to Isabella as well. She is truly a loyal and caring servant, one who like many in her position during that era, saved the day for the one she serves.

I liked that she was totally loyal to Isabella and more aware of her needs than anyone in her own family. Her character also provided some much needed comic relief.

I LOVED Dinah!! She had the most spine of them all! She wasn't going to let Cassie get away with her high-handedness and had no problem letting her know what she thought of her meddling for the sake of control. I think she had a true affection for Isabella and wanted her to be happy and live to love the man of her choice. Did this assure Dinah of a job? Yes. Was that important? Yes. Was it foremost in her mind? I don't think so. While she was familiar with Isabella and her ways and would have hated to go to another home, I think she would have found other employment. She was happy with Isabella but Isabella was happy with Dinah, too and would have missed her. I almost died when I realized she threw herself down the stairs on purpose-OMG!

I agree with the comments above. At first I thought she was just nibby and a trouble-maker. Further on in the book, we came to see her as the person who knew Isabelle best and was willing to do the unthinkable to give Isabelle a chance at happiness.

Dinah wasn’t just a servant in Isabella’s household. Dinah was the person who knew Isabella best and was willing to stand up for her best interests. Dinah was taking a risk in addressing Cassy the way she did but it paid off in the end. She provided the most interesting story within the book for me.

I wasn't a fan of Dinah initially but came to like her as the story progressed. I would have liked to see the character developed a bit more as she plays a deciding role in Isabella's life.

Dinah was an employee of Isabella's and she cared about what happened to her. She cared for her and also cared about her.