# J. R. Bickley — When the World Shook character guide > J. R. Bickley in When the World Shook by H. Rider Haggard. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Bickley, Ultimately Bickley, the exasperated Bickley, the enraged Bickley, O Bickley, Here Bickley, the unfeeling Bickley, The Accident Bickley **First appearance:** 0003-ii-bastin-and-bickley ## Snapshot A sharp-tongued physician and materialist who treats the supernatural with contempt until Orofena forces him to doubt his own certainties. ## Who they are Bickley is the expedition's doctor, a brilliant, sardonic man who trusts medicine and reason above all and delights in needling Bastin. His blank denial of anything beyond the physical world is both his strength and his blind spot, and his composure frays as the island's wonders accumulate. He matters because his skepticism tests every marvel the story offers, and because his own heart proves less controllable than his intellect. ## In the story ### [When the World Shook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/when-the-world-shook) Another companion in the adventure, part of the trio with Arbuthnot and Bastin. ### [II: Bastin and Bickley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/ii-bastin-and-bickley) A skeptical surgeon who believes only in material explanations; he moves to Fulcombe at Arbuthnot's invitation and argues with Bastin. ### [III: Natalie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/iii-natalie) Bickley correctly diagnoses Mrs. Bastin's heart condition and argues with Bastin about early Christians and missionaries. ### [IV: Death and Departure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/iv-death-and-departure) Provides a skeptical, scientific view of death and the afterlife; performs a late operation on Natalie; advises Arbuthnot to take up writing. ### [V: The Cyclone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/v-the-cyclone) Debates theology with Bastin, is frustrated by supernatural phenomena, and experiments with invisible ink after the planchette trick. ### [Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/vi-land) Acts as the group's doctor and skeptic; offers to cure the chief's lump; engages in theological debates with Bastin. ### [VII: The Orofenans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/vii-the-orofenans) Performs the successful operation on Marama, gains the title 'Great Priest', and treats patients including a man bitten by Tommy. ### [VIII: Bastin Attempts the Martyr's Crown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/viii-bastin-attempts-the-martyr-s-crown) Sarcastically comments on Bastin's actions and nearly upsets the canoe in anger. ### [IX: The Island in the Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/ix-the-island-in-the-lake) Scientifically eager, interprets the grooves as evidence of ancient flying machines, and suggests waiting for dawn to explore further. ### [X: The Dwellers in the Tomb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/x-the-dwellers-in-the-tomb) Examines the tomb with scientific curiosity, prepares a hypodermic syringe and strong coffee for further exploration, and notes the strange odor of sandalwood. ### [XI: Resurrection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xi-resurrection) Leads the scientific examination; injects Oro with a stimulant; administers sal volatile and a milk-meat essence mixture to Yva; uses a thermometer to measure the coffin's temperature. ### [XII: Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Years!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xii-two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-years) Expresses disbelief at the 250,000-year sleep, suggests hallucinations from gases, and uses an electric torch to astonish Oro. ### [XIII: Oro Speaks and Bastin Argues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xiii-oro-speaks-and-bastin-argues) Skeptical of Oro's claims, suggests Bastin looks like a priest of Baal, and later dismisses Oro as a 'Prince of Liars'. ### [XIV: The Underworld](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xiv-the-underworld) Skeptical about the Life-water; drinks it and feels capable of any operation; stoic during the descent. ### [XV: Oro in His House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xv-oro-in-his-house) Argues with Oro about the impossibility of miracles, dismisses Oro's claims as illusions, and is rebuked by Oro for his skepticism. ### [Visions of the Past](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xvi-visions-of-the-past) Questions how the visions are produced; shows scientific curiosity. ### [Yva Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xvii-yva-explains) Skeptical of Yva's claims; argues about the nature of death and knowledge; leaves in a rage after being contradicted. ### [XVIII: The Accident](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xviii-the-accident) Performs the operation on Arbuthnot's head and later teaches Yva; is a vegetarian in theory. ### [XIX: The Proposals of Bastin and Bickley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xix-the-proposals-of-bastin-and-bickley) Also proposed to Yva and was gently refused; warns Arbuthnot that Fate would prevent any marriage with Yva. ### [The Command](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxii-the-command) Warns Arbuthnot that Yva will never be a mortal's wife; jokes about Venus; expresses regret at leaving the world. ### [XXIII: In the Temple of Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxiii-in-the-temple-of-fate) Bickley remains skeptical of Yva's powers and Oro's abilities, questioning the reality of the events. ### [XXIV: The Chariot of the Pit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxiv-the-chariot-of-the-pit) Argues with Bastin; comments on the blue flashes; follows the group into the cavern. ### [XXV: Sacrifice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxv-sacrifice) Skeptical but alarmed, questions Oro about the cosmic event. ### [XXVI: Tommy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxvi-tommy) Expresses awe at Yva's sacrifice and warns Oro about the effects of shock and burns. ### [XXVII: Bastin Discovers a Resemblance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxvii-bastin-discovers-a-resemblance) Volunteers for the R.A.M.C., remains skeptical about Oro's age and powers, but admits to being humbled by the inexplicable phenomena they witnessed. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/epilogue) Sole executor of Arbuthnot's will; publishes the manuscript and plans another voyage to the South Sea Islands. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters/bickley - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters