Kipps · Character

Mr. Shalford

The owner of the draper's emporium where Kipps works as an apprentice.

minor

Also known as Shalford, old Shalford

Mr. Shalford's tie to Arthur Kipps is one of the pressures that moves Kipps—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

The draper who takes Kipps on as an apprentice, representing the rigid class structure.

In the storyKippsOpen this moment free

See Mr. Shalford in Kipps Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Arthur Kipps (professional): Mr. Shalford is Arthur's employer at the drapery shop, a pompous and exploitative boss who treats his employees with disdain. With Arthur Kipps (professional): Mr. Shalford is Arthur's employer at the drapery shop, a pompous and exploitative boss who treats his employees with disdain. With Arthur Kipps (professional): Mr. Shalford is Arthur's employer at the drapery shop, a pompous and exploitative boss who treats his employees with disdain.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Mr. Shalford sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mr. Shalford in II: The Emporium

Character Web

15 connections

A slice of how Mr. Shalford sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Minor figures and social backdrop
Kipps's social origins and influences
Protagonist

+10 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Kipps experiences the emotional and psychological peak of his inte…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Arthur Kipps
professional · negative
Arthur Kipps
professional · negative
Arthur Kipps
professional · negative

Arthur Kipps
Mr. Shalford is Arthur's employer at the drapery shop, a pompous and exploitative boss who treats his employees with disdain.
Arthur Kipps
Mr. Shalford is Arthur's employer at the drapery shop, a pompous and exploitative boss who treats his employees with disdain.
Arthur Kipps
Mr. Shalford is Arthur's employer at the drapery shop, a pompous and exploitative boss who treats his employees with disdain.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mr. Shalford in II: The Emporium

In the story

Mr. Shalford appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Kipps
The draper who takes Kipps on as an apprentice, representing the rigid class structure.
Book I: The Making of Kipps
Kipps' employer at the draper's shop.
I: The Little Shop at New Romney
The Folkestone draper to whom Kipps is bound as an apprentice; mentioned as wanting to 'shape the lad a bit' before the autumn sale.
II: The Emporium
The irascible, energetic owner of the Folkestone Drapery Bazaar who imposes a strict system of fines and rules on his employees.
III: The Woodcarving Class
Mentioned as the system that restricts Kipps's time for self-help.
IV: Chitterlow
Shalford is mentioned as having been 'on to' Kipps for mistakes at work, including ticketing items upside down, adding to Kipps' distress.
Swapped
Shalford summons Kipps to the private office and fires him, though the exact conversation is not shown.
The Unexpected
Mentioned as the employer who turns off the gas early, but not directly present in the chapter's events.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Shalford unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Shalford in II: The Emporium

See Mr. Shalford in Kipps