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I've just finished the first ten chapters of The Moonstone. The first epoch, about half of the book, is told from the point of view of the head servant at Lady Verinder's home. His name is Mr. Betteredge and I think he is very entertaining.
He constantly references the novel Robinson Crusoe, stating that "such a book as Robinson Crusoe never was written, and never will be written again...and I have found it my friend in need in all the necessities of this mortal life. When my spirits are bad - Robinson Crusoe. When I want advice - Robinson Crusoe. In past times, when my wife plagued me; in present times, when I have had a drop too much - Robinson Crusoe" (17). Throughout the character's narrative, he always relates events of his story to some piece of "wisdom" given to him from reading Robinson Crusoe.
I've never actually read Robinson Crusoe, but on the cover of all of the books I have looked at there is a very masculine man with huge muscles either dominating an image of "the other" or standing erect/dominating the island he is on. I think this could say a lot about the character of Mr. Betteredge.
He is also the type of character who clearly favors his race. Toward the end of the first ten chapters, he states that the Indian men in search of Mr. Franklin's moonstone are thieves and murderers, not acknowledging that the stone was originally stolen from India by British soldiers.
Random Facts about Mr. Betteredge:
He smokes a Pipe.
He has a daughter (may early-mid teens?) named Penelope.
He is very opinionated.
He seems semi-arrogant.
One curious thing about this novel that contrasts The Woman in White is the fact that, so far, there is not a strong female character. There are four main women mentioned so far:
1. Penelope - Mr. Betteredge's daughter, does whatever she wants, but is not a large part of the story yet (I'm holding out hope that she becomes the heroine!)
2. Lady Verinder - The Lady of the estate, Mr. Betteredge's employer. (I believe her husband is deceased.)
3. Miss Rachel - Lady Verinder's daughter (18 years old), her uncle died (the man who originally stole the diamond from India) and wrote in his will that Rachel be given the diamond as long as her mother is still living. (Very curious!)
4. Rosanna Spearman - a maid in the house. We first meet her watching quick sand boil next to the ocean. (hmm...interesting!) She seems to be distraught. She was "rescued" by Lady V. from a reformatory which she was at for stealing (we don't know what).
Predictions:
Penelope will defy her father further than her small childish attempts now.
Lady V. will die.
Rachel will marry Mr. Franklin.
Rosanna Spearman will tell her story somehow.
Mr. Betteredge, not exactly clueless now, yet he doesn't truly seem to understand what is going on, will become 100% aware of the situation.
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