Poetry · Character

Old Jack Noman

A weathered, half-mythic figure who belongs to no one and nowhere, yet keeps appearing at the edges of fields and verses like a stubborn root.

supporting

Also known as Jack, Jack Noman

First appearance: the trumpet

As a supporting figure in Poetry, Old Jack Noman is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The old man met at hawthorn-time, described with a rough, brown, sea-blue-eyed face; later identified as a manifestation of Lob.

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Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Old Man (rivalry): Old Jack Noman and the Old Man are locked in a tense, antagonistic relationship, possibly over identity or territory. With Young Jack (family): Old Jack Noman is likely a father or older relative…

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The fuller portrait of Old Jack Noman sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Old Jack Noman in the trumpet

Character Web

7 connections

A slice of how Old Jack Noman sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Family
Other

Character groups

Recurring named figures
Protagonist

+2 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional peak occurs when the speaker, despite physical pain from the storm, experiences a transcendent m…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Old Man
rivalry · negative
Old Jack Noman and the Old Man are locked in a tense, antagonistic relationship, possibly… How this plays out →
Young Jack
family · ambivalent
Lob
rivalry · negative
Walker
rivalry · negative
Old Man
rivalry · negative
Old Jack Noman and the Old Man are locked in a tense, antagonistic relationship, possibly… How this plays out →
Lob
rivalry · negative

Old Man
Old Jack Noman and the Old Man are locked in a tense, antagonistic relationship, possibly over identity or territory.
Young Jack
Old Jack Noman is likely a father or older relative to Young Jack, with a strained dynamic.
Lob
Lob and Old Jack Noman are hostile toward each other, possibly over loyalty to the Old Man.
Walker
Old Jack Noman and Walker are antagonists, perhaps competing for influence or survival.
Old Man
Old Jack Noman and the Old Man are locked in a tense, antagonistic relationship, possibly over identity or territory.
Lob
Lob and Old Jack Noman are hostile toward each other, possibly over loyalty to the Old Man.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Old Jack Noman in the trumpet

In the story

Old Jack Noman appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Lob
The old man met at hawthorn-time, described with a rough, brown, sea-blue-eyed face; later identified as a manifestation of Lob.
May 23
Appears jaunty and old, offering cresses and cowslips, then disappears.
Home
One of the three travelers, who repeats the word 'home' with a knowing smile.
A Dream
The old friend accompanying the narrator in the dream, though he is forgotten during the vision.
Lovers
Jack is one of the two men in the road, commenting on the lovers and the man's lack of a gun.
The Child in the Orchard
Referenced indirectly through the old white horse, a solitary figure in the orchard.
House and Man
The man living in the lonely house, described as ghost-like and weary.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Old Jack Noman unlock in the free preview.

See Old Jack Noman in the trumpet

See Old Jack Noman in Lob