Caleb Williams

Caleb Williams

by William Godwin
Thomas works as one of Ferdinando Falkland’s footmen. After Falkland accuses his secretary, Caleb Williams, of theft, Thomas treats Caleb with contempt, believing his fellow servant is a vile criminal. However, when Thomas visits Caleb in prison, he’s appalled by the miserable conditions Caleb is suffering in, and he helps Caleb escape. Even so, Thomas continues to detest Caleb and defend Falkland’s honor.

Thomas Quotes in Caleb Williams

The Caleb Williams quotes below are all either spoken by Thomas or refer to Thomas. 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:
Hierarchy, Tyranny, and Oppression Theme Icon
).

Volume 2, Chapter 14 Quotes

Zounds, how I have been choused! They told me what a fine thing it was to be an Englishman, and about liberty and property, and all that there; and I find it is all a flam.

Related Characters: Thomas (speaker), Caleb Williams
Page Number and Citation: 195
Explanation and Analysis:
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Thomas Character Timeline in Caleb Williams

The timeline below shows where the character Thomas appears in Caleb Williams. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Volume 2, Chapter 9
Truth and Justice Theme Icon
One of Falkland’s footmen, a man named Thomas, finds Caleb at the inn he’s staying at. He delivers Caleb a letter from Forester,... (full context)
Volume 2, Chapter 10
Hierarchy, Tyranny, and Oppression Theme Icon
Morality and Corruption Theme Icon
...arrangements are made for Caleb to be taken into custody, Caleb tries to talk to Thomas, hoping for sympathy from a fellow servant. However, Thomas rejects him utterly, believing that Caleb... (full context)
Volume 2, Chapter 14
Hierarchy, Tyranny, and Oppression Theme Icon
The Legal System Theme Icon
Not long after, Thomas visits Caleb in his new cell and is horrified to discover the terrible conditions Caleb... (full context)
Hierarchy, Tyranny, and Oppression Theme Icon
Truth and Justice Theme Icon
...can slip through, and then dismantles part of the prison’s outer wall with the tools Thomas gave him. Just before dawn, Caleb finishes his hard work and escapes into the open... (full context)
Volume 3, Chapter 12
Hierarchy, Tyranny, and Oppression Theme Icon
Morality and Corruption Theme Icon
Truth and Justice Theme Icon
A little later, Caleb wanders outside the inn as well. Thomas approaches him and says that he hates Caleb now more than ever. He entreats Caleb... (full context)