The Moving Finger

Jerry Burton is the dynamic protagonist and narrator of The Moving Finger. As a recovering war pilot, Burton is temporarily disabled, and moves around Lymstock on crutches. Over the course of the novel, Burton slowly heals, and is soon able to walk and drive his car again. Burton is depicted as a wealthy young man with status and options. He and Joanna rent Little Furze and enjoy the services of Partridge, the cook and housekeeper, and Beatrice the maid. Locals like Superintendent Nash and the wealthy Mr. Pye easily take Burton into their confidence and tell him that the working-class people of Lymstock are “stupid” (92), “backward” (92), and “vandals” (31). Jerry’s instant camaraderie with such locals and his lack of surprise at these characterization also expose his class prejudices.

Jerry’s inner thoughts reveal that he is somewhat condescending and controlling toward others. For example, he is highly agitated by Megan’s terrible style and apathetic manner: “Her clothes were drab and unattractive and she usually had on lisle thread stockings with holes in them. She looked, I decided this morning, much more like a horse than a human being” (19).