Doctor Syn · Chapter
XXVI: The Devil’s Tiring House explained
At half past midnight, Jerk is summoned to the coffin shop where Mipps, now commanding and masked, orchestrates a secret gathering.
What happens
At half past midnight, Jerk is summoned to the coffin shop where Mipps, now commanding and masked, orchestrates a secret gathering. The shop is transformed into a tiring house for the demon riders, marsh witches, and jack-o'-lanterns—local men and women disguised for their nocturnal activities. Mipps rechristens Jerk as 'Jack Ketch,' initiates him into the crew, and reveals the scarecrow is a living member who will ride out that night. The company departs, leaving Mipps to watch the meddlesome captain.
Themes in this chapter
Duality and Deception
Mipps sheds his usual oily manner to reveal a commanding leader; the fishermen and labourers transform into witches and demons, highlighting the theme of hidden identities.
Community and Loyalty
The secret company operates as a tight-knit group, drinking to Jerk's initiation and relying on mutual trust to evade the law.
Supernatural and the Uncanny
The demon riders, marsh witches, and glowing faces create an eerie, supernatural atmosphere, with the scarecrow revealed as a living participant.
Characters to notice
- Jerry Jerk
Recruited into Mipps's secret company, rechristened 'Jack Ketch,' and given a demonic disguise.
- Mipps
Leads the gathering with authority, wearing a mask and cloak; orchestrates the disguises and initiates Jerk.
- The Scarecrow
Revealed to be a living member of the crew, stored in a coffin until needed for the night's ride.
- Beelzebub
A demon rider tasked with painting the horses and guiding Jerk during the night's activities.
- Satan
Another demon rider who brings in the scarecrow and places it in a coffin.
- Hellspite
Addressed as 'Hellspite' by the crew, but Mipps declines to join them, choosing to watch the captain instead.
Key passages
“Jerk now saw the iron qualities in the sexton that had struck the love spark upon the flinty bosom of Mrs. Waggetts, for as Mipps walked about among his men, from room to room, and in and out of the coffin shop, which was heavily shuttered, he carried a power upon his shoulders that would have done credit to Boney himself.”
Jerk perceived the stern, commanding nature in Mipps that had won Mrs. Waggetts's affection; Mipps moved through the shuttered coffin shop with an authority rivaling Napoleon.
Highlights Mipps's transformation from a cringing sexton to a powerful leader.
“And now, Jack Ketch, you only has to follow me into the coffin shop to get your allowance of devil’s face cream, then I thinks you’ll feel real pleased with yourself.”
Mipps tells Jerk to follow him into the coffin shop for a coating of luminous face paint that will complete his demonic disguise.
Introduces the secret of the demon riders' glowing faces, a key element of their supernatural appearance.