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Mrs. Deborah Primrose
Ephraim Jenkinson is a gifted criminal. He’s a smooth talker who is very skilled in the art of disguise. With the help of his footman Abraham, Jenkinson convinces Moses to spend the money Moses earned from the sale of his horse, Colt, on reselling spectacles—an obviously ill-advised business venture. He also successfully scams Flamborough in the same way. Later, Jenkinson is able to cheat Dr. Primrose too, as his elaborate speeches on cosmology and praise of the vicar’s theological tracts convince Dr. Primrose to let his guard down and accept a draught (a promissory note) on Flamborough instead of payment. Dr. Primrose and Jenkinson meet again in the gaol after Jenkinson’s crimes have caught up with him; striving to repent, Jenkinson helps Dr. Primrose as best he can, making his cell more comfortably and attempting to convince him to submit to the Squire to expedite his release. Jenkinson plays an essential part in proving Squire Thornhill’s guilt, as he confesses to having helped the Squire procure women and apprehends their former accomplice, Timothy Baxter. Even more crucially, Jenkinson reveals that he in fact obtained a genuine marriage license for the Squire and Olivia, not a fake one as they believed. While this was done for blackmail, not for charitable reasons, it prevents the Squire from seizing Miss Wilmot’s fortunes and restores Olivia to honor. Sir William gifts Jenkinson a small fortune as thanks for his actions, and Dr. Primrose promises to convince Flamborough to drop the charges against Jenkinson.
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Ephraim Jenkinson (A Distinguished Old Man) Character Timeline in The Vicar of Wakefield
The timeline below shows where the character Ephraim Jenkinson (A Distinguished Old Man) appears in The Vicar of Wakefield. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 14
Entering the tavern, Dr. Primrose is entranced by an old, distinguished-looking man reading a book. As he and his colleague discuss religious controversy and Primrose’s latest pamphlet,...
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...draught on Flamborough instead. Dr. Primrose agrees, and the old man, who is named Mr. Jenkinson, takes Blackberry and departs. Dr. Primrose soon has doubts, but Jenkinson is already gone, and...
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Chapter 25
...Dr. Primrose is surprised to recognize the prisoner’s quotations about cosmogony. Realizing it is Mr. Jenkinson, Dr. Primrose confronts him but then forgives him and promises to send Moses to convince...
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Chapter 26
Jenkinson eats dinner with the Primroses and is struck by Sophia’s beauty. He also confesses to...
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Chapter 28
...he will never allow such an insult to her honor to stand. After Olivia leaves, Jenkinson presses her cause, asking Dr. Primrose if he thinks it is right to sacrifice his...
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...begins to lose hope. His health begins to decline; Olivia’s declines even faster, however, and Jenkinson soon tells Dr. Primrose that she has died. Dick and Bill attempt to comfort their...
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Chapter 30
...cell. However, the gaoler says they will allow him to visit Dr. Primrose every day. Jenkinson then tells Dr. Primrose he has heard news of Sophia, who was seen with a...
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...returns to the subject of Sophia’s kidnapper. She describes the man as a long-legged redhead; Jenkinson recognizes him as Timothy Baxter and moreover knows where he is hiding. At Sir William’s...
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Chapter 31
...begs Sir William to help them, but he seems inclined to believe his nephew. Suddenly Jenkinson enters with Baxter as a prisoner, which seems to frighten the Squire.
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Jenkinson asks the Squire if he is ashamed of his “two old acquaintances,” himself and Baxter,...
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...Dr. Primrose ever recovers his fortune he pay a 6,000-pound dowry, which Dr. Primrose accepts. Jenkinson arrives just then and asks how the fortune can be the Squire’s if the Squire...
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Jenkinson returns with Olivia, who is actually still alive. He also has the license for her...
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Everyone congratulates Olivia, and only Sophia seems unhappy. Sir William suggests that, as a reward, Jenkinson should marry Sophia. Sophia refuses this proposal, and so Sir William decides that he will...
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Chapter 32
...Wilmot. Flamborough and his family attend the party afterward, and his daughters pair off with Jenkinson and Moses. The parishioners who attempted to free Dr. Primrose come too, and when Sir...
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