# III: Inigo Jollifant Quotes Shakespeare and Departs in the Night explained — The Good Companions

> Chapter companion for The Good Companions by J. B. Priestley.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iii-inigo-jollifant-quotes-shakespeare-and-departs-in-the-night
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_companions_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters