The Good Companions · Chapter
III: Inigo Jollifant Quotes Shakespeare and Departs in the Night explained
Inigo Jollifant, a teacher at Washbury Manor School, borrows a detective novel from his colleague Fauntley and arranges a birthday celebration.
What happens
Inigo Jollifant, a teacher at Washbury Manor School, borrows a detective novel from his colleague Fauntley and arranges a birthday celebration. He observes the dreary routine of the school and its staff, feeling trapped and depressed. The chapter also describes the bleak Fen landscape and the history of Washbury Manor, now a preparatory school run by the pompous Mr. Tarvin.
Themes in this chapter
Escape and Transformation
Inigo's desire to leave Washbury Manor and his arrangement of a birthday celebration reflect his yearning for escape from the stifling routine.
Illusion vs. Reality
The school's advertised merits contrast with the dreary reality of stale food, petty staff, and Inigo's depression.
Characters to notice
- Inigo Jollifant
Borrows a detective story from Fauntley, arranges a birthday celebration, and feels depressed by the school routine.
- Mr. Fauntley
Lends Inigo a detective novel, suggests Sergeant Comrie for whisky procurement, and reveals knowledge of the school's inner workings.
- James Tarvin
The pompous headmaster who makes a weak joke at supper and is described as having a misleading forehead and shaggy moustache.
- Harold Felton
Returns from a walk with Miss Callander, looking dusty and out of spirits.
- Daisy Callander
Returns from a walk with Felton, looking tired, and exchanges glances with Inigo at supper.
Key passages
“My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains. Absolutely.”
Inigo quotes Keats to express his deep depression and numbness while eating a dull meal.
Inigo uses the line from Keats's 'Ode to a Nightingale' to articulate his emotional state.
“It don't smell right.”
A visiting uncle, a merchant service master, criticizes the school's atmosphere.
This blunt assessment contrasts with Mr. Tarvin's proud claims about the school.