Black Beauty

Black Beauty

by

Anna Sewell

The Old Ostler Character Analysis

The old ostler works at a hotel where the Gordons and James stop with Black Beauty and Ginger along a journey. He’s a quick groom, and he tells James about his experiences as a jockey and as an ostler (a person who cares for horses at inns). Like John, he believes in training horses gently.
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The Old Ostler Character Timeline in Black Beauty

The timeline below shows where the character The Old Ostler appears in Black Beauty. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 15
Horse Care, Abuse, and Neglect Theme Icon
Class, Transportation, and Victorian England Theme Icon
Good, Evil, and Power Theme Icon
Dignity and Religion Theme Icon
...the hills. At sunset, they reach a hotel where they’ll stay for the night. An old ostler (a person who cares for horses at inns) untacks Black Beauty and grooms him faster... (full context)
Horse Care, Abuse, and Neglect Theme Icon
Good, Evil, and Power Theme Icon
The old ostler says he’s been practicing for 40 years, and besides, he’d rather be quick than slow.... (full context)
Horse Care, Abuse, and Neglect Theme Icon
Good, Evil, and Power Theme Icon
James shares that his employer is Squire Gordon, and he and the old ostler discuss George Gordon’s death and that Black Beauty is the brother of Rob Roy. Sadly,... (full context)