The Whipping Boy | Characters & Character Analysis

The Whipping Boy Characters

Jemmy, the Whipping Boy

Born the son of a rat catcher, Jemmy grew up in extreme poverty. He was accustomed to hunger, working in the sewer, and did not know he was ignorant. When his father died, he learned to fend for himself. Then, the king's soldiers stole him from the streets and he became the royal whipping boy for the prince. That is when his life changed for Jemmy, for the worse.

Whenever the prince misbehaved, which was often, the servants fetched Jemmy and he was beaten. Each time he was whipped, he set his jaw, determined not to make a single sound despite the pain that he suffered. One day the prince questioned him as to why he did not make a noise. When Jemmy discovered how badly the prince wanted him to squeal like a pig he was even more determined not to make a sound during any of his whippings....
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