Short Fiction · Character

Tom Chuff

A poacher caught between two feuding brothers and an old squire's dying rage, whose life becomes entangled with a prophecy he cannot outrun.

major

Also known as Tom, Chuff, Tom the poacher

First appearance: The Vision of Tom Chuff

As a major figure in Short Fiction, Tom Chuff is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Old servant in a dingy white coat, referred to as 'Larry'; captures the boy and later escorts him away.

In the storyII: The Fairies in the CastleOpen this moment free

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Tom moves through a world of hard landlords, violent quarrels, and sudden deaths, where the Marston brothers' fight over Gylingden Hall leaves everyone around them exposed. He is a man of the margins, watching the…

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See Tom Chuff in The Vision of Tom Chuff

Character Web

24 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Ghost story narrators
Fairy abduction tales
Diverse ghostly witnesses

+19 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the psychological peak of the narrator's horror and the r…

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In the story

Tom Chuff appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II: The Fairies in the Castle
Old servant in a dingy white coat, referred to as 'Larry'; captures the boy and later escorts him away.
V: The Good Woman
The driver who led them astray; he is sent back to The Cat and Fiddle with the horse and carriage after being refused lodging at The Good Woman.
The Vision of Tom Chuff
The brutal poacher and drunkard who terrorizes his family, experiences a supernatural vision, briefly reforms, then relapses and dies in the bog.
Madam Crowl's Ghost
Not present in this chapter.
Mr. Justice Harbottle
Former footman of Judge Harbottle, who died in prison after being falsely accused; appears as a spectral figure in the Judge's nightmare.
VI: Arrested
Tom Chuff appears as the footman Dingly Chuff, a former servant of the Judge who died in prison, now seen at the coach window.
Sir Dominick's Bargain
The narrator's grandfather and Sir Dominick's loyal servant, who witnesses the pact and later tries to dissuade Sir Dominick from further dealings.

Chapter companion notes

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See Tom Chuff in The Vision of Tom Chuff

See Tom Chuff in II: The Fairies in the Castle