# Jess Willard — Poetry character guide

> Jess Willard in Poetry by Ring Lardner.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Willard, Jessica

**First appearance:** 0036-taste

## Who they are

A heavyweight boxer, referenced in the narrative.

## In the story

### [In the Wake of the News](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/in-the-wake-of-the-news)

Referenced as a 'great big bluff' in a critical verse.

### [Valentines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/valentines)

Referenced in the valentine to the Bold Editorial Writer as a 'great big bluff'.

### [Cornell Shreiber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/cornell-shreiber)

Referenced in the poem as the subject of a declined bet.

### [A. J. Thatcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/a-j-thatcher)

Referenced as 'Jessica' in the poem, alluding to the boxing match where Dempsey closed his eye.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_19_se/characters/jess_willard
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_19_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_19_se/characters