# Uncle Joseph — The Dead Secret character guide

> Uncle Joseph in The Dead Secret by Wilkie Collins.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Joseph, little Joseph, Uncle Joseph gayly

**First appearance:** 0003-iii-the-hiding-of-the-secret

## Snapshot

An old, warm-hearted uncle who would take on any shame or risk rather than see his niece carry her burden alone.

## Who they are

Uncle Joseph is the one person Sarah trusts with the truth, a white-haired man whose little son died in her arms long ago and who now offers to bear the risk of telling what she cannot. He curses Porthgenna Tower as a dungeon-house of the devil while still scheming to get her the one thing she wants. His loyalty gives Sarah's long penance a human face and a companion on the road.

## In the story

### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/book-ii)

Plays a role in the schemes and emotional undercurrents of the story.

### [I: A Plot Against the Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/i-a-plot-against-the-secret)

Offers comfort and practical support, deciding to accompany Sarah to Porthgenna Tower despite his misgivings.

### [II: Outside the House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/ii-outside-the-house)

Firm in his decision to accompany Sarah; he suggests using a chisel to break the lock and cheerfully carries his musical box and pipe, stopping to smoke and play Mozart on the moor.

### [III: Inside the House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/iii-inside-the-house)

Innocently diverts Mrs. Pentreath's attention, allowing Sarah to escape; he encourages her to seize her opportunity.

### [IV: Mr. Munder on the Seat of Judgment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/iv-mr-munder-on-the-seat-of-judgment)

Defends Sarah against Mr. Munder's accusations, revives her after her faint, and negotiates their departure with calm politeness.

### [V: Mozart Plays Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/v-mozart-plays-farewell)

Uncle Joseph is sorrowful that their journey was in vain, plays a farewell song on his musical box, and gives Sarah a basket of gifts and money before she departs.

### [I: Uncle Joseph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/i-uncle-joseph)

Visits Rosamond and Leonard, explains that Sarah is his niece, and shows them her letters. He pleads for their help to reassure Sarah so she will return to him, revealing his deep love and concern for her.

### [Waiting and Hoping](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/ii-waiting-and-hoping)

Delighted by the discovery of the secret, but hesitant about the doctor; entrusted with delivering the news and the declaration to Sarah.

### [III: The Story of the Past](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/iii-the-story-of-the-past)

Narrates the story of the past, revealing the secret and its emotional toll on Sarah.

### [IV: The Close of Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/iv-the-close-of-day)

Arrives in high spirits to take Rosamond to her mother; reports on Sarah's improved condition.

### [V: Forty Thousand Pounds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/v-forty-thousand-pounds)

Grieves deeply for Sarah and insists on accompanying her remains to Cornwall.

### [VI: The Dawn of a New Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/vi-the-dawn-of-a-new-life)

Kneels at the foot of the grave, smoothing the turf, and places his musical box on the grave. He is comforted by Rosamond's promise that Mozart will still sing for her.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters/joseph
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters