# Corporal Joliffe — The Fur Country character guide

> Corporal Joliffe in The Fur Country by Jules Verne.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Joliffe, Corporal, the imprudent Corporal Joliffe

**First appearance:** 0005-part-i-iv-a-factory

## Snapshot

A talkative, superstitious corporal whom Captain Craventy sends every curious guest to consult, and whose gossip carries the fort's whole mood.

## Who they are

Joliffe is the social lubricant of Fort Reliance: when the captain is asked about the fête, his answer is simply 'Ask Joliffe,' and Joliffe has a gracious word for everybody. Yet his superstitious streak and loose tongue make him a liability as much as an asset among men bound for the far north. He and his wife are named among those who will face experiences no human foresight could anticipate, which lends his cheerfulness an uneasy edge.

## In the story

### [A Soiree at Fort Reliance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-i-a-soiree-at-fort-reliance)

The busy bee of the party, acting as majordomo; he is guided by his wife Mrs. Joliffe and is in charge of the evening's details.

### [II: The Hudson’s Bay Fur Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-ii-the-hudson-s-bay-fur-company)

Announces and prepares the punch with Mrs. Joliffe's assistance, lighting it on the Captain's command.

### [A Savant Thawed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-iii-a-savant-thawed)

Helps rub Black with snow and provides punch for revival.

### [A Factory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-iv-a-factory)

A busybody who exerts himself without tangible results; his wife is noted as useful and devoted.

### [From Fort Reliance to Fort Enterprise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-v-from-fort-reliance-to-fort-enterprise)

Drives recklessly ahead of the caravan, arguing with his wife about the slope, ignoring Hobson's orders.

### [A Wapiti Duel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-vi-a-wapiti-duel)

Imprudently handles the reins of the sledges during the difficult thaw conditions.

### [Along the Coast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xi-along-the-coast)

Mentions his preference for game and comments on the uncertainty of hunting bears.

### [XII: The Midnight Sun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xii-the-midnight-sun)

Inquires about settling at Cape Bathurst and is reminded of double pay.

### [Mercury Freezes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xx-mercury-freezes)

Mentioned as part of the colony; present at the Christmas celebration.

### [Five Months More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xxii-five-months-more)

Tasked with protecting the new sprouts from birds and rodents.

### [A Floating Fort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-i-a-floating-fort)

Asks about the latitude and double pay, satisfied by Hobson's reassurance.

### [V: From July 25th to August 20th](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-v-from-july-25th-to-august-20th)

Teaches baby Michael soldierly duties; tends the garden with Mrs. Joliffe; looks forward to guard duty.

### [A Communication from Lieutenant Hobson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xi-a-communication-from-lieutenant-hobson)

Takes pride in having helped care for baby Michael, feeling partly responsible for his weight.

### [The Breakup of the Ice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xvi-the-breakup-of-the-ice)

Desperately defends his wife's garden plot from rodents and ruminants, refusing to abandon it despite the imminent departure.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/characters/corporal_joliffe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fur_country_se/characters