# Jack Barr — Short Fiction character guide > Jack Barr in Short Fiction by Fritz Leiber. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Jack, Barr **First appearance:** 0005-dr-kometevsky-s-day ## Snapshot A man who sails to the island with newspapers and a boathook, determined to free Mary Alice Pope from the aunts who have kept her in a fabricated 1933. ## Who they are Jack Barr crosses to the island to show Mary Alice Pope newspapers with 1951 datelines, hoping to break the spell her aunts Hani and Hilda have woven around her. He tells her he loves her and asks for an answer at sunset, then sails back to the mainland to investigate. When he returns, he finds himself facing not only the sisters' eighteen-year revenge but Martin Kesserich's claim on Mary, and he refuses to let her go without a fight. ## Relationships ### [Mary Alice Pope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters/mary_alice_pope) _romantic_ Jack Barr is secretly in love with Mary Alice Pope, though she remains unaware of his feelings. ### [Martin Kesserich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters/martin_kesserich) _friendship_ Jack and Martin are loyal friends who often work together on community projects. ### [Mrs. Kesserich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters/mrs_kesserich) _social_ Jack Barr is a polite acquaintance of Mrs. Kesserich, often helping her with heavy chores. ### [Mary Alice Pope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters/mary_alice_pope) _romantic_ Jack Barr is secretly in love with Mary Alice Pope, though she remains unaware of his feelings. ### [Martin Kesserich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters/martin_kesserich) _friendship_ Jack and Martin are loyal friends who often work together on community projects. ### [Mary Alice Pope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters/mary_alice_pope) _romantic_ Jack Barr is secretly in love with Mary Alice Pope, though she remains unaware of his feelings. ### [Mrs. Kesserich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters/mrs_kesserich) _social_ Jack Barr is a polite acquaintance of Mrs. Kesserich, often helping her with heavy chores. ### [Mrs. Kesserich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters/mrs_kesserich) _social_ Jack Barr is a polite acquaintance of Mrs. Kesserich, often helping her with heavy chores. ### [Martin Kesserich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters/martin_kesserich) _friendship_ Jack and Martin are loyal friends who often work together on community projects. ## In the story ### [Yesterday House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/yesterday-house) Jack is central to the chapter's exploration of memory and the past, as he navigates the house's haunting reflections of yesterday. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/i) Protagonist who sails to the island and meets Mary Alice Pope. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/ii) Visits the Kesserich home, learns about Mary Alice Pope from Mrs. Kesserich. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/iii) Jack is the student being questioned by Kesserich; he feels uneasy and tries to avoid mentioning his earlier conversation with Mrs. Kesserich. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/v) Listens to Mrs. Kesserich's confession, shocked by the revelations. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/vi) Rescues Mary, confronts Kesserich, and fights to take her away; knocked unconscious by the boom. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/vii) Jack is exhausted and aching after searching the island, reflecting on his rescue and his guilt over Martin and Mary. ### [The Night of the Long Knives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/the-night-of-the-long-knives) Central figure in the night's violent events, grappling with loyalty and survival. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/ii) The narrator, a Deathlander with psychic clarity, who predicts the end of his relationship and prepares for the unknown threat. ### [The 64-Square Madhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/the-64-square-madhouse) Appears in a context of rescue and island isolation, reflecting themes of survival and connection. ### [The Snowbank Orbit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/the-snowbank-orbit) Central figure navigating the disorienting snowbank orbit, grappling with shifting perceptions. ### [No Great Magic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/no-great-magic) Central character involved in the unfolding events. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as one of the American members of the company. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as Bruce, a fellow actor struggling with his Banquo beard. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters/jack_barr - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters