# Henry Patmore — The Walls of Jericho character guide

> Henry Patmore in The Walls of Jericho by Rudolph Fisher.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Patmore, Mr. Henry Patmore, Mr. Patmore

**First appearance:** 0002-the-walls-of-jericho

## Snapshot

A physically imposing man whose carefully built reputation for hardness masks a fear of being seen as soft, especially by the woman who sees through him.

## Who they are

Patmore moves through Harlem as a man others step around, his size and temper doing the work of a reputation he never has to fully earn. When Linda invokes Father Tod's sermon on Jericho, she names the wall around him: not cruelty but fear, a terror of being found out as someone who could be hurt and could love. That confrontation—his silence, her tears, the accusation that he plays safe by making her quote Scripture—sets the emotional stakes for his arc, forcing him to choose between the hard shell and the person it protects.

## In the story

### [The Walls of Jericho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/the-walls-of-jericho)

The proprietor of the pool parlor where the chapter's events take place.

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

Owner of the pool parlor; mentioned as a respected figure in the community, though not present in the scene.

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

The bar owner who holds a grudge against Merrit and tries to use Shine to get revenge by selling liquor to him.

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

A self-assured ladies' man, he calculates his approach to Linda, using his status as a costume contest judge to gain her interest and secure her contact information.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xiii)

Saunters up to inquire about Shine's whereabouts, showing interest in Shine's activities.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xiv)

Patmore is the subject of the conversation; his actions at the casino are recounted, revealing his predatory behavior.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xviii)

The manager of the pool parlor, he breaks up the fight and locks Jinx and Bubber in the cellar. He later discovers the cause of Jinx's condition is a bottle of whiskey.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xxiii)

Patmore is the antagonist, drunk and frantic, who confesses to arson and assault by reaching for his gun. He is nearly killed by Shine.

### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/chapters/xxiv)

Implicitly the arsonist, though not present in the chapter; his actions are discussed.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters/henry_patmore
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_walls_of_jericho_se/characters