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The Valley of Fear · Character

Jacob Shafter

Ettie's father and a Vermissa Valley resident.

minor

Also known as Shafter, old man Shafter

First appearance: The Man

Jacob Shafter shows up with force in The Man. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Elderly owner of the boarding house, agrees to take McMurdo in for seven dollars a week.
In the storyThe ManOpen this moment free

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In The Man: Elderly owner of the boarding house, agrees to take McMurdo in for seven dollars a week. Later, in II: The Bodymaster: Ettie's…

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See Jacob Shafter in The Man

Character Web

6 connections

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

JMJohn McMurdoJDJohn DouglasCMCaptain MarvinESEttie ShafterCMCouncillor McG…JSJacob Shafter

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Vermissa Valley Scowrers
  • Protagonist
  • Birlstone Manor Investigation

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This chapter marks the dramatic climax because McMurdo’s psychological peak of confidence and integration into…

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In the story

Jacob Shafter appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Jacob Shafter in The Man
Who is Jacob Shafter in The Valley of Fear?