# Jim Powell — Short Fiction character guide

> Jim Powell in Short Fiction by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Jim, Powell, Mr. Powell, Mr. Jim Powell of Tarleton, Georgia, Mr. James Powell, James Powell

**First appearance:** 0020-i

## Snapshot

A small-town Georgia loafer who rolls dice in Tilly's Garage and knows every shooting story for fifty miles, Jim Powell gets one improbable invitation to the country club.

## Who they are

Jim Powell belongs to the white house on the green corner only in memory; the house is sold, and the crowd that should have been his has grown into a tight little set that treats him as a running mate of poor whites. He is long, thin, stooped from pool tables, shy at parties since Marjorie Haight whispered about the groceries he delivered, and content instead with dice and a straw and the moon over Jackson Street. When Clark Darrow's ancient Ford stops beside him with an invitation, Jim accepts out of half-frightened ennui, and that small yes sets the whole story in motion.

## In the story

### [The Jelly-Bean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-jelly-bean)

The protagonist, a 'jelly-bean' who returns to Tarleton and becomes infatuated with Nancy Lamar.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i)

The protagonist, a Jelly-bean who lives idly in a small Georgia town. He is invited to a party at the country club and reflects on his outsider status.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii)

Attends the country club dance with Clark, feels self-conscious and out of place, becomes infatuated with Nancy Lamar.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii)

A Jelly-bean who rolls dice for Nancy, wins back her checks, and receives a kiss from her.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv)

The Jelly-bean experiences a profound sense of futility and resolves to leave town to reclaim his family's honor.

### [Dice, Brassknuckles & Guitar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/dice-brassknuckles-guitar)

Founder of the Jazz School, a Southern gentleman struggling with social exclusion despite his entrepreneurial success.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/characters/jim_powell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/characters