The "idiot" Character Analysis in Blood Meridian

The intellectually and developmentally disabled brother of Cloyce Bell, kept in a filthy cage and treated like a freak-show attraction. His real name is James Robert Bell. The Judge rescues the fool from drowning in the Colorado River, and in the aftermath of the Yuma massacre leashes him like a dog, leading him along as the Judge pursues Tobin and the kid. The "idiot’s" fate is unknown.

The "idiot" Quotes in Blood Meridian

The Blood Meridian quotes below are all either spoken by The "idiot" or refer to The "idiot". For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

The Borginnis woman waded out with her dress ballooning about her and took him deeper and swirled him about grown man that he was in her great stout arms. She held him up, she crooned to him. Her pale hair floated on the water.

Related Characters: Sarah Borginnis, The "idiot"

Related Symbols: Bathing

Page Number and Citation: 254

Explanation and Analysis:

The "idiot" Character Timeline in Blood Meridian

The timeline below shows where the character The "idiot" appears in Blood Meridian. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...see him. Glanton asks if Cloyce lets women see the "imbecile"—hereafter referred to as " the idiot "—and Cloyce replies that none have ever asked. (full context)

...Cloyce, whom Glanton offers a drink. Cloyce explains to him and the Judge that " the idiot " he owns was left in his care once their mother died. Upon learning that... (full context)

...the gang rides out of Tucson. With them are five new recruits, Cloyce and " the idiot ", and also the barrel of whiskey stolen the night before, which Glanton promised to... (full context)

...at the beginning of time. Meanwhile, the Judge sits scribbling in his ledger, watching " the idiot " tirelessly. (full context)

...gives a lecture on paleontology to some new recruits, answering their questions thoroughly. Nearby, " the idiot " is tethered near a campfire, where he sits with hands outheld as if yearning... (full context)

Meanwhile, that morning, a group of women at the ferry crossing have discovered " the idiot " in his cage. One “huge woman” named Sarah Borginnis seeks out Cloyce and shames... (full context)

While singing hymns, the women bathe " the idiot " and dress him in clean clothes. Sarah orders, while she wades in the water... (full context)

In the night, " the idiot " wakes, and naked he wanders to the river. He enters the water, but soon... (full context)

Days and nights of drunken debauchery and violence follow. Someone gives " the idiot " whiskey one night and he dances “with great gravity.” A few mornings later, black... (full context)

The Yumas enter the Judge’s quarters, where they find " the idiot ," a young girl cowering naked on the floor, and the Judge himself, also naked,... (full context)

...three Americans look out, they spy two figures moving through the desert: it is " the idiot " and the Judge, who is draped with meat. The two rendezvous with their fellows... (full context)

...Brown’s clothing. The kid draws his pistol and hides, watching as the Judge and " the idiot " move toward the creek. He and the Judge exchange gunfire, but no one is... (full context)

...up and see pursuing them over the plain the figures of the Judge and " the idiot ." (full context)

The Judge passes soon enough, with " the idiot " on a leather leash. He has rifles, canteens, and, strangely enough, a parasol made... (full context)

...kimono, and behind her is a person in a pen similar in appearance to " the idiot ." Without a word the kid leaves the building. (full context)

The "idiot" Character Analysis

The "idiot" Quotes in Blood Meridian

Chapter 18 Quotes

The "idiot" Character Timeline in Blood Meridian