# Jimmy Boyle — Short Fiction character guide

> Jimmy Boyle in Short Fiction by Ring Lardner.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Jimmy, Jim, Boyle, Jimmy Shane

**First appearance:** 0000-my-roomy

## Snapshot

A long-married everyman dragged along on his sister-in-law's hunt for a Follies comedian, narrating the whole foolish expedition.

## Who they are

Boyle is the put-upon husband and brother-in-law whose dry narration carries the story — he'd rather play rummy than dress for the theater, but he goes along with Kate's and Ella's schemes because arguing is futile. His running joke is that he could write a book about sister-in-laws, and his marriage to the Mrs. is a steady background hum of resigned affection. He matters because his skeptical, funny voice is the lens through which the family's pursuit of celebrity becomes both absurd and oddly touching.

## In the story

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii)

The narrator's roommate, a humorous and cynical teammate.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv)

Quoted as justifying the narrator's actions: 'if one fella didn't take it some other fella would.'

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/jimmy_boyle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters