# Uncle Jim — The History of Mr. Polly character guide

> Uncle Jim in The History of Mr. Polly by H. G. Wells.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Jim

**First appearance:** 0051-ix-the-potwell-inn

## Snapshot

A violent, swaggering bully who haunts the Potwell Inn, terrorizing his aunt and her granddaughter and driving off anyone who might stay.

## Who they are

Uncle Jim is the shadow that falls across the Potwell Inn, a nephew and a menace whose reputation for scooting strangers precedes him. He is not handsome, not kind, and not above teaching a nine-year-old to swear and spit, which is exactly what makes him so quietly dreadful. His looming return gives the inn its atmosphere of dread and gives Mr. Polly something genuinely frightening to measure himself against.

## Relationships

### [Mr. Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/mr_polly)

_rivalry_

Uncle Jim is a violent and antagonistic figure who clashes with Mr. Polly, often over property or pride.

### [Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/johnson)

_rivalry_

Johnson and Uncle Jim are antagonists, with Johnson often defending Mr. Polly against Uncle Jim's bullying.

### [Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/miriam)

_family_

Uncle Jim is Miriam's relative, and their relationship is strained due to his violent behavior toward her husband.

### [Mr. Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/mr_polly)

_rivalry_

Uncle Jim is a violent and antagonistic figure who clashes with Mr. Polly, often over property or pride.

### [Mr. Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/mr_polly)

_rivalry_

Uncle Jim is a violent and antagonistic figure who clashes with Mr. Polly, often over property or pride.

### [Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/johnson)

_rivalry_

Johnson and Uncle Jim are antagonists, with Johnson often defending Mr. Polly against Uncle Jim's bullying.

### [Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/johnson)

_rivalry_

Johnson and Uncle Jim are antagonists, with Johnson often defending Mr. Polly against Uncle Jim's bullying.

### [Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/miriam)

_family_

Uncle Jim is Miriam's relative, and their relationship is strained due to his violent behavior toward her husband.

## In the story

### [IX: The Potwell Inn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/ix-the-potwell-inn)

The violent antagonist who claims the Potwell Inn as his own and repeatedly attacks Mr. Polly.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iv)

Referenced as a violent 'scorcher' who has driven away three men and threatens Mr. Polly.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/v)

Described as the 'Drorback' of the Potwell Inn; a violent, extortionate figure who terrorizes his aunt.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/vi)

Appears suddenly in the twilight, threatens Mr. Polly with violence and orders him to leave the Potwell Inn.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/vii)

The threat at the Potwell Inn; Mr. Polly imagines fighting him.

### [The Private War Begins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/viii)

Drunk and violent, attacks Mr. Polly but is outmaneuvered and forced into the river, vowing revenge.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/ix)

Returns drunk and aggressive, mistakes a camper for Mr. Polly and attacks him, then later disrupts the tea service with a dead eel.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/x)

Uncle Jim is reported to have been sentenced to three months for stealing a hatchet.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/xi)

The looming threat; his name is 'written in letters of glaring silence' between Mr. Polly and the landlady; he allegedly shoots at Mr. Polly, ransacks the bar and Mr. Polly's room, and steals clothes and whisky.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/xii)

Uncle Jim has gone and does not return for months, then years, after the Night Surprise.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned briefly in a speculation that dies for want of material.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iii)

Referred to as having drowned five years ago in the Medway; Mr. Polly reflects on his lack of tact and the futility of his life.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/uncle_jim
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters