The Scarlet Pimpernel

what does Mr. Jellyband's name indicate about his character?

does his name have something to do with historical information?

Asked by
Last updated by jill d #170087
Answers 3
Add Yours

Mr. Jellyband is the propietor of the Dover pub called The Fisherman's Rest. He is described as rather stout and a very good host. I think his name has an air of joviality to it. Beyond that I don't see much else.

Here is a quote describing him from the book,

Portly in build, jovial in countenance and somewhat bald of pate, Mr. Jellyband was indeed a typical rural John Bull of those days--the days when our prejudiced insularity was at its height, when to an Englishman, be he lord, yeoman, or peasant, the whole of the continent of Europe was a den of immorality and the rest of the world an unexploited land of savages and cannibals.

"There he stood, mine worthy host, firm and well set up on his limbs, smoking his long churchwarden and caring nothing for nobody at home, and despising everybody abroad. He wore the typical scarlet waistcoat, with shiny brass buttons, the corduroy breeches, and grey worsted stockings and smart buckled shoes, that characterised every self-respecting innkeeper in Great Britain in these days--and while pretty, motherless Sally had need of four pairs of brown hands to do all the work that fell on her shapely shoulders, worthy Jellyband discussed the affairs of nations with his most privileged guests."

Jellyband's character was representative of the French commoner during the French Revolution in The Scarlet Pimpernel. I don't believe the name was given in reference to any particular historical happening.