The Maid of Sker · Character

Hezekiah Perkins

A greasy, crafty servant whose talent for sneaking through side doors makes him useful to powerful men and dangerous to the helpless.

supporting

Also known as brother Hezekiah, crafty Perkins, dirty Hezekiah, Perkins

First appearance: the maid of sker

As a supporting figure in The Maid of Sker, Hezekiah Perkins is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A rival buyer who is tricked by Davy into paying a higher price for the fish, motivated by his desire to outdo Griffy of the Cat and Snuffers.

In the storyHow to Sell FishOpen this moment free

Hezekiah Perkins serves as Parson Chowne's eyes and ears, a man whose nasty face and filthy dandling of children mark him as thoroughly untrustworthy. When he steals little Bardie out to show her the baby-corpse, Davy's fury nearly breaks him, yet he survives to inform on others. His petty cruelties and appetite for gain make him a persistent low-level menace throughout the early unraveling of the wreck.

See Hezekiah Perkins in How to Sell Fish Book page

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Character Web

29 connections

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Other

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Minor local associates
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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where the protagonis…

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In the story

Hezekiah Perkins appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

How to Sell Fish
A rival buyer who is tricked by Davy into paying a higher price for the fish, motivated by his desire to outdo Griffy of the Cat and Snuffers.
In Accordance with the Evidence
Manipulative juryman who delivers a long speech about sand encroachment; brings Bardie to the corpse against Davy's wishes.
A Verdict on the Jury
A juror who initially scoffs at superstition but is later terrified by Davy's staged vision of funeral processions near Longlands.
XVI: Truth Lies Sometimes in a Well
Hezekiah visits Davy to discuss a secret matter, using flattery and religious pretensions to try to extract information. He is manipulative, boastful about his education, and eager to partner with Davy for profit.
XVIII: Public Approbation
Implied to be the author of the malicious second newspaper account; Davy fumes at his hypocrisy.
XXXIII: In a State of Nature
Head groom; shares information about Parson Chowne's past and his own upcoming marriage.
Two Poor Children
Mentioned as a Nonconformist disturber who might cast up Drake's past against him.
XLIII: A Fine Price for Bardie
Visits Davy and outlines a fraudulent plan to pass Bardie off as Martha ap Rees for a reward, using religious pretense.
Beating Up for the Navy
Impressed by Davy after being made drunk; he is given six dozen lashes and later becomes useful for his oiliness.
Taming of the Savages
Hezekiah suffers severe seasickness, believes he is Jonah in the whale, and rages against his wife Hepzibah for not predicting his misfortunes.

Chapter companion notes

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See Hezekiah Perkins in the maid of sker

See Hezekiah Perkins in How to Sell Fish