Jezebel

A figure from the Old Testament, specifically Kings I and II, she was the wife of King Ahab and Queen of Israel. She has come to be known as an archetype of the wicked woman.

In LIA, two references are made to Jezebel:

First by the old janitor addressing Miss Atkins, the dietitian, in chapter 6: //Now he was looking at her; his eyes seemed to contract upon her shape and being. "Answer me, Jezebel!" he shouted// (132).

And second by Simon McEachern addressing Bobbie Allen, a prostitute his adopted son (Joe Christmas) has been seeing: //Yet he went straight to her, ignoring Joe for the moment. "Away, Jezebel!" he said// (204).



–Herbert Plummer