# Ezra Jennings — The Moonstone character guide

> Ezra Jennings in The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Ezra, the everlasting Ezra Jennings, Mr. Jennings, Mr. Ezra Jennings

**First appearance:** 0038-vii

## Snapshot

Ailing, opium-haunted assistant to the local doctor, whose strange appearance and stranger knowledge make him the last man the household trusts.

## Who they are

Ezra Jennings is the outcast of the neighborhood: a man with a mysterious past, a worn face, and a medical training that nobody wants to consult. He is devoted to Mr. Candy, tolerated by almost no one, and quietly in possession of the one piece of physiological insight the case requires. His willingness to be useful, even at the cost of his own dignity, makes him the hinge on which the mystery's solution turns.

## Relationships

### [Franklin Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/franklin_blake)

_friendship_

Ezra Jennings becomes Franklin's compassionate ally and intellectual partner, helping him solve the mystery of the Moonstone through a scientific experiment.

### [Mr. Candy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/mr_candy)

_professional_

Ezra Jennings works as Mr. Candy's assistant, a relationship marked by Candy's condescension and Jennings' quiet competence.

### [Franklin Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/franklin_blake)

_friendship_

Ezra Jennings becomes Franklin's compassionate ally and intellectual partner, helping him solve the mystery of the Moonstone through a scientific experiment.

### [Mr. Candy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/mr_candy)

_professional_

Ezra Jennings works as Mr. Candy's assistant, a relationship marked by Candy's condescension and Jennings' quiet competence.

## In the story

### [Second Period: The Discovery of the Truth (1848–1849)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/second-period-the-discovery-of-the-truth-1848-1849)

His narrative may provide key insights into the truth.

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

Introduced as Mr. Candy's assistant, with piebald hair, who brings the list of medicines.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/viii)

Mr. Candy's assistant; mentioned as having seen Blake, prompting Mr. Candy's request for a meeting.

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

Jennings shares his personal history, his fatal illness, and his use of opium. He believes he can prove Blake was unconscious during the theft.

### [The Opium Experiment Proposed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/x)

Proposes the opium experiment, explains the drug's effects, and offers to write to Rachel Verinder for permission.

### [Fourth Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/fourth-narrative)

Narrates the chapter; writes to Rachel, advises Franklin, and prepares the experiment despite physical pain and distrust.

### [Fifth Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/fifth-narrative)

Parted from the group at the station; Franklin and Rachel regret leaving him and promise to meet again.

### [Seventh Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/seventh-narrative)

Dies in Mr. Candy's arms; leaves diary pages for Franklin Blake; requests an unmarked grave and that his papers be buried with him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/ezra_jennings
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters