Perkins Character Analysis

Perkins is the narrator’s chauffeur. At the start of the story, he comes to pick the narrator up from the train station, driving the narrator’s new 30-horsepower car. He advises the narrator not to drive the car due to its unfamiliar gears, but he ultimately relents when the narrator refuses to listen to him. Later, when the car begins to careen down a hill, Perkins displays calmness and clarity, recommending that the narrator jump to safety while he takes control of the car. However, the narrator refuses this offer and instead offers to let Perkins jump out, which Perkins also refuses. This reveals a great degree of loyalty and professionalism on Perkins’s part, for, while he is not responsible for the dangerous situation, he still decides to “stick it out” with his employer. This loyalty is further demonstrated at the end of the story when Perkins dismisses his own injuries to inquire about the narrator’s whereabouts and wellbeing. Ultimately, Perkins’s good actions and loyalty are rewarded, as he survives the car crash while the narrator does not. This suggests that good deeds are ultimately rewarded in the long run, while bad ones—like the narrator’s arrogant and reckless decision to drive the car—are punished.