The Mayor of Casterbridge · Character

Abel Whittle

A slow, dogged laborer in a cord jacket who takes Henchard's blows and insults without complaint, and keeps showing up for work anyway.

supporting

Also known as Whittle, Abel, poor Whittle

First appearance: XVI

As a supporting figure in The Mayor of Casterbridge, Abel Whittle is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Suffers from chronic lateness and is humiliated by Henchard's punishment, expressing despair and fear of disgrace.

In the storyChapter XVOpen this moment free

See Abel Whittle in Chapter XV Book page

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Whittle belongs to the lowest tier of Casterbridge labor, the kind of man whose name the town barely bothers to remember, yet he attaches himself to Henchard with a loyalty no amount of cruelty seems to shake. His slowness makes him an easy target for a mayor who despises weakness, and his willingness to endure it turns him into a quiet mirror of Henchard's worst instincts. In the early arc he is background texture, but his stubborn presence keeps asking whether Henchard's harshness is strength or just noise.

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The fuller portrait of Abel Whittle sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Abel Whittle in XVI

Character Web

8 connections

A slice of how Abel Whittle sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Major Characters
Local Townsfolk
Protagonist

+3 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this passage, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Henchard, having just witnessed Lucetta’s de…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Michael Henchard
professional · ambivalent
Abel Whittle is a meek, loyal worker under Henchard, who is often harshly treated but… How this plays out →
Michael Henchard
professional · ambivalent
Abel Whittle is a meek, loyal worker under Henchard, who is often harshly treated but… How this plays out →
Michael Henchard
professional · ambivalent
Abel Whittle is a meek, loyal worker under Henchard, who is often harshly treated but… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Abel Whittle in XVI

In the story

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

Chapter XV
Suffers from chronic lateness and is humiliated by Henchard's punishment, expressing despair and fear of disgrace.
XVI
Mentioned among the townspeople; not directly involved in the chapter's main action.
XXXI
Abel Whittle informs Elizabeth-Jane that Farfrae is now master and contrasts the new management's style with Henchard's.
Chapter XXXIII
Mentioned as a workman in the yard whose pitying eyes annoy Henchard; he is one of the laborers who touch their hats to Lucetta.
Chapter XXXVIII
Mentioned as bringing a letter to Farfrae while he harnesses the gig.
Chapter XXXIX
Delivers the anonymous letter to Farfrae.
XLV
Mentioned as a possible sighting; a shambling labourer seen near a cottage, who may be Whittle, as he has been absent from work for three weeks.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Abel Whittle unlock in the free preview.

See Abel Whittle in XVI

See Abel Whittle in Chapter XV