Who is Dr. Flint?

Dr. Flint is Linda’s owner and tormentor — the pseudonym Jacobs gives Dr. James Norcom. He pursues Linda sexually from her teens, punishes refusals with threats against her children and grandmother, and uses surveillance, jealousy, and legal power to control her. Mrs. Flint’s jealousy becomes another weapon in his household war.

Flint embodies illusion-of-kind-masters: he reads Scripture, plays paternal benefactor, and still treats Linda as property to conquer. Classroom analysis should stay on his systemic power, not psychoanalytic excuse. Pair Flint with sexual-exploitation-and-agency and resistance chapters where Linda outwits his plots to trap her in the cottage.