# Ben Jones — Search the Sky character guide

> Ben Jones in Search the Sky by Frederik Pohl.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Ben, Jones, A different Jones, a Jones, A Jones

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A raucous, hard-drinking doctor from Jones's Valley, he is the crew's oldest member and only scientist—when he can stay upright.

## Who they are

Doc Jones staggers into the control room loaded to the gills, bellowing a bawdy ballad about seven-sided doors and purple-colored curbing before remembering there are ladies present. Ross begs him to pull himself together before they meet the advanced people of Earth, but Jones goes pale and stumbles out again. His drunkenness is comic, yet his role as the outfit's scientist makes his collapse a real liability—and his absence forces Ross to speak for them all when they face the incomprehensible Earthfolk.

## Relationships

### [Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/ross)

_friendship_

Ben Jones is a friend or peer of Ross, with interactions suggesting a casual but reliable bond.

### [Doc Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/doc_jones)

_family_

Ben Jones and Doc Jones are likely father and son or close relatives, sharing a surname and frequent interaction.

### [Doc Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/doc_jones)

_family_

Ben Jones and Doc Jones are likely father and son or close relatives, sharing a surname and frequent interaction.

### [Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/ross)

_friendship_

Ben Jones is a friend or peer of Ross, with interactions suggesting a casual but reliable bond.

### [Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/ross)

_friendship_

Ben Jones is a friend or peer of Ross, with interactions suggesting a casual but reliable bond.

## In the story

### [Landing on Earth and Encounter with the Joneses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/chapters/x)

Captures the trio, questions them, provides food and drink, and expresses uncertainty about what to do with them.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/chapters/xi)

Confronts the doctor about taking Ross away; expresses anger and suspicion.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/ben_jones
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters