He could see the monsters

“He could see the monsters” names the revelation that Jacob Portman can see Hollowgasts, a rare ability he shares with his grandfather, Abraham Portman. The words overturn Jacob’s belief that his frightening experiences were imaginary and recast them as the sign of a peculiar gift.

The Revelation

Miss Peregrine tells Jacob that Abraham had a rare talent almost no one else possessed, then meets Jacob’s eyes and identifies it: “He could see the monsters.” The statement connects the grandfather’s hidden capacity to the danger that has entered Jacob’s own life. It is not merely a description of Abraham; it is the key that makes Jacob’s experience intelligible.

Jacob’s Recognition

The words bring back the horrors Jacob thought he had put behind him. He understands that the monsters were real and that they killed Abraham. Jacob then admits to Miss Peregrine, “I can see them, too,” speaking as though disclosing a shameful secret. The admission converts a private fear into shared knowledge and establishes that the ability has passed between grandfather and grandson.

Meaning of the Gift

Jacob had long thought of himself as strange, but had never imagined that he was peculiar. Recognizing his ability offers an explanation for why Ricky saw nothing in the woods on the night Abraham was killed, and why other people thought Jacob was crazy. Jacob concludes that he was neither imagining the creatures nor undergoing a stress reaction: his panic when they were near, and his ability to see them, belonged to his gift. Miss Peregrine responds with warmth, embracing him and treating peculiarity as a compliment rather than a failing.

Limits and Consequences

Jacob asks whether Miss Peregrine can see the monsters at all. She can see only their shadows, which helps explain why they hunt mainly at night. The exchange distinguishes Jacob’s unusual clarity of sight from even Miss Peregrine’s limited perception, while placing his gift within the immediate threat posed by the creatures. The phrase therefore functions as both an explanation of Jacob’s past and a turning point in his understanding of who he is.