Major Percy Stokes Character Analysis

The brother of Jane Bramble, Major Percy Stokes is a missionary for the Salvation Army—a Protestant Christian church and charitable organization that traditionally uses military structure. The Salvation Army prohibits its members from drinking, smoking, taking drugs, and gambling. Despite his purported devoutness and insistence that boxing is sinful, Percy readily borrows money from his sister and interferes uninvited in her family life. Though criticized for being a narcissist who “liked the sound of his own voice” and “could talk the hind leg off a donkey,” he is supposedly a “persuasive” missionary nevertheless. He once persuaded a “publican,” or pub owner, to donate all his goods to the poor—starting with his “stock in trade,” or beer; a large riot quickly ensued. This indicative example of Percy’s accomplishments as a missionary—winning free beer for the public—illustrates that he is a laughable preacher who does no real good for the cause. He attempts to persuade his brother-in-law, Bill, to quit boxing by telling him that young Harold will likely read about his next fight in the newspaper, and Bill doesn’t want the boy to know about his career as a boxer. Percy proudly refers to Bill a “brand from the burning,” or a convert who has been saved from purgatory, but Bill’s rationale is more practical than spiritual—he doesn’t personally disapprove of his sport’s association with violence and gambling. When Bill’s trainer Jerry Fisher confronts them, Percy cowers and avoids taking responsibility for the boxer’s sudden change of heart.