# Mr. Oakroyd on t'Road explained — The Good Companions

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

## What happens

Jess Oakroyd, having left home, finds himself on the road and encounters a series of colorful characters. He first stays at a rough inn run by Big Annie, where he meets Nobby Clarke and Fred Smith. After a night's rest, he continues his journey, eventually getting a lift to Everwell, where he finds Poppleby's Dining-Rooms. There, he meets Joby Jackson, a rubber doll salesman, and helps him at his market stall, observing the local market life and the Professor, a down-at-heel showman.

## Themes in this chapter

### Adventure and Self-Discovery

Jess Oakroyd's journey on the road, meeting strangers and adapting to new circumstances, reflects his personal adventure and the beginning of a transformative experience.

### Community and Belonging

Despite being a stranger, Jess finds a temporary sense of community with Nobby, Fred, Big Annie, and later with Joby Jackson, sharing meals and work.

## Character check-ins

### Jess Oakroyd

Jess is the central figure in this chapter, traveling alone after leaving home, seeking food and shelter, and eventually helping Joby Jackson at his stall.

### Nobby Clarke

Nobby is a tall, fat fellow with a loose mouth who brings Jess to Big Annie's inn and shares a meal with him.

### Fred Smith

Fred is Nobby's companion, a thin-faced man who joins them at the inn and later mentions 'shuteye' before they sleep.

### Big Annie

Annie is the formidable landlady of the inn, wrapped in flannel, who provides the travelers with food and drink.

### Joby Jackson

Joby is a rubber doll salesman who meets Jess at Everwell market, hires him to help at his stall, and introduces him to the local market scene.

### Mr. Memsworth

The Professor, a seedy showman with a booming voice, who runs a 'Character and Destiny' business and converses with Joby at the market.

## Key lines

> “Anything, Annie, anything,” replied Nobby. “A bit of bread and meat, if you’ve got it. And a drink. What’s it to be, chum? Beer’s too cold. I’ll tell you what. I’d like a drop o’ tea with some rum in it, good old sergeant-major’s.”

Nobby asks Annie for whatever food she has, suggesting tea with rum since the beer is too cold.

_This shows the rough camaraderie and the simple comforts sought by the travelers._

> “That’s putting some ’eart into yer, I can see,” she observed complacently. “And wot’s the next move, lads?”

Annie comments that the food and drink have revived them and asks what they plan to do next.

_Annie's maternal tone contrasts with her rough appearance, highlighting the hospitality found in unlikely places._

> “Yon’d chap’ud make a good loud speaker,” said Mr. Oakroyd, who had been listening with delight to this dialogue. “That’s what ’e is, if you ask me,” replied Joby. “Clever feller, though, the Perfesser. Known ’im off and on years. All patter, y’know. Marvellous! ’E’d sell ’em anything.”

Jess remarks that the Professor would be a good public speaker, and Joby agrees, noting his clever patter and ability to sell anything.

_This exchange reveals the market's colorful characters and the art of salesmanship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iv-mr-oakroyd-on-t-road
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_companions_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters