Memoirs of a Foxhunting Man · Character

Cockbird

The narrator's most prized possession for forty-five months, a hunter who resents mobilization and dislikes being a trooper's charger.

supporting

Also known as old Cockbird

First appearance: I

As a supporting figure in Memoirs of a Foxhunting Man, Cockbird is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The horse Stephen Colwood rides to victory in the point-to-point race.

In the storyA Fresh StartOpen this moment free

Cockbird is sold to the Government for a perfunctory fifty pounds and picketed by a rope that already gives him a sore pastern, regretting Dixon and resenting the Army. He is Sherston's last tangible link with the peaceful past, and his welfare becomes the narrator's main anxiety amid the rumor-ridden early weeks of war. The horse's mute discomfort carries the book's grief for a world being requisitioned along with him.

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the psychological peak where the narrator’s personal vend…

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In the story

Cockbird appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

A Fresh Start
The horse Stephen Colwood rides to victory in the point-to-point race.
At the Rectory
The horse George purchases; performs well in hunting and impresses Dixon.
IV
New horse, docile railway traveler, well-bred, top-hole performer.
VI: The Colonel's Cup
Sherston's horse, entered in the Ringwell Heavyweight Race and safely returned after the win.
I
The narrator's horse being prepared for the Ringwell Heavyweight Race, qualified through hunting with Stephen Colwood.
II
The horse being trained for the Ringwell point-to-point; described as easy to handle and capable of jumping Aintree fences.
III
George's horse, described as looking an 'absolute picture' and being playful.
IV
George's horse, which wins the point-to-point race.
I
One of the horses out at grass, contemplated by the narrator and Stephen.
III
George's horse, brought along to the Kennels and stabled there.
IV
George's horse; runs in open point-to-point races, jumps faultlessly but lacks speed.
Migration to the Midlands
One of George's new horses; a broken-winded chestnut that turns out to be a wonderful jumper.
I
One of George's new horses, a chestnut with a hard mouth, bought for thirty pounds.
II
George's horse, ridden at Olton Gorse.
IV
Wins the Heavyweight Race at the point-to-point.
IX: In the Army
George's horse, now a trooper's charger, sold to the government; shows resentment at mobilization and separation from Dixon.
I
George's prized horse, now sold to the government and serving as a trooper's charger, later transferred to the squadron commander.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Cockbird in I

See Cockbird in A Fresh Start