Early Chapters Discussion Topic: Jack Stoddard

[Froggy56]

I was amazed at Jack because he is who I have heard from Texas and Oklahoma colleagues was their father too - they grew up in the oilfields and were poor and dysfunctional for the same reasons as Jack's family. As a literary character, he is perfect. He is alcoholic, so really, we can't expect him to be anyone other than who the booze makes him. He shapes the women's lives thus presenting the obstacle - something they must work with and/or overcome forever. What would be the story without him and his gifts and character flaws! Thank you for Jack. And, personally, thank you for getting rid of him in the nick of time.

[flynn31]

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Amanda_R wrote:

It's easy to want to write off Jack Stoddard as an irresponsible, unlikable figure. Does he have any redeeming qualities?

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Message Edited by Amanda_R on 06-06-2007 10:40 AM

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Jack is suffering from a broken heart and spirit caused by the death of his way of life. His drinking and gambling are how he vents his pain, but in the process he is causing his family more pain and making things worse for himself as well.

[jd]

I had family members who were in the Depression era and they describe it as waking up one morning and everything you knew had changed, no job, no money. The dust bowel was happening before the depression and Jack was a wanderer before the depression, and the depression compounded his difficulties but he had the same difficulties before the depression. Jack was a personified male of the era and a very believable character. Thanx Ms. Jiles - jd