# Joe Willet — Barnaby Rudge character guide > Joe Willet in Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Joe, Joseph Willet, young Joe, dear Joe **First appearance:** 0002-chapter-1 ## Snapshot The Maypole keeper's restless son, chafing under his father's dull rule, who leaves home to make himself worthy of Dolly Varden. ## Who they are Joe Willet is the only son of old John Willet of the Maypole, a young man of spirit trapped in an inn where nothing ever changes and his father treats him like a boy. He loves Dolly Varden, the locksmith's pretty daughter, and knows that as long as he stays at the Maypole he will never be anything in her eyes. His decision to leave and seek his fortune is one of the novel's first acts of real courage, and it sets him on a path that will bring him back to London changed. ## Relationships ### [Dolly Varden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/dolly_varden) _romantic_ Joe is deeply in love with Dolly, who initially flirts and teases but eventually returns his affection. ### [Sir John Chester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/sir_john_chester) _rivalry_ Joe resents Chester's condescending attitude and his interference in Joe's relationship with Dolly, leading to mutual hostility. ### [Gabriel Varden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/gabriel_varden) _friendship_ Gabriel is a kind and fatherly figure to Joe, offering him advice and support, and they share a warm bond. ### [Sir John Chester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/sir_john_chester) _rivalry_ Joe resents Chester's condescending attitude and his interference in Joe's relationship with Dolly, leading to mutual hostility. ### [Dolly Varden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/dolly_varden) _romantic_ Joe is deeply in love with Dolly, who initially flirts and teases but eventually returns his affection. ### [Gabriel Varden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/gabriel_varden) _friendship_ Gabriel is a kind and fatherly figure to Joe, offering him advice and support, and they share a warm bond. ### [Gabriel Varden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/gabriel_varden) _friendship_ Gabriel is a kind and fatherly figure to Joe, offering him advice and support, and they share a warm bond. ### [Dolly Varden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/dolly_varden) _romantic_ Joe is deeply in love with Dolly, who initially flirts and teases but eventually returns his affection. ### [Sir John Chester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/sir_john_chester) _rivalry_ Joe resents Chester's condescending attitude and his interference in Joe's relationship with Dolly, leading to mutual hostility. ## In the story ### [Chapter 1](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-1) John's son, a broad-shouldered young man treated as a boy by his father, who serves the guests. ### [Chapter 2](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-2) Exchanges sharp words with the stranger, showing his mettle and concern for the horse. ### [Chapter 3](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-3) Rebellious against his father's control, expresses his desire for independence and asks Varden to keep his humiliation private. ### [Chapter 4: The Locksmith's Household](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-4) Mentioned as having quarreled with his father and possibly planning to leave home, causing concern. ### [Chapter 13](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-13) Visits the Varden household, hoping to see Dolly, but is disappointed when she is out. He presents flowers to Mrs. Varden, who dismisses them, and he leaves feeling dejected. ### [Chapter 14](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-14) Rides with Edward, despondent over Dolly, and later returns to the Maypole with heavy heart. ### [Chapter 19](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-19) Overjoyed to see Dolly, helps her alight from the chaise, and shares a moment of happiness with her. ### [Chapter 21](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-21) Rescues Dolly, offers to search for her lost items, and shows protective concern. ### [Chapter 22](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-22) Escorts Dolly home, expresses his love, and is reluctantly sent back by Mrs. Varden. ### [Chapter 24](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-24) Mentioned as a villain by Tappertit, accused of plotting against Mr. Chester. ### [Chapter 28](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-28) Mentioned as having quarreled with his father over delivering Edward's letter. ### [Chapter 30](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-30) Endures his father's tyranny and finally rebels, attacking Tom Cobb and vowing to leave. ### [Chapter 31](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-31) Leaves home to enlist in the army, feeling disheartened by his father and his love for Dolly. ### [Chapter 41](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-41) Mentioned fondly by Gabriel, who regrets the way old John treated him. ### [Chapter 71](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-71) Participates in the rescue of Dolly and Emma, and is the one who escorts Dolly out, causing Simon Tappertit pain. ### [Chapter 72](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-72) Returns from war maimed but noble, declaring his love for Dolly while accepting his fate. ### [Chapter 78](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-78) Returns from the war with one arm, tells his father of his plan to go to the West Indies with Edward Chester, and is reunited with Dolly. ### [Chapter 80](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-80) He is present with Dolly, and the couple's relationship is celebrated by the family. ### [Chapter the Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-the-last) Inherits his father's wealth, becomes independent and a man of consequence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/joe_willet - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters