# John Knowles — Short Fiction character guide

> John Knowles in Short Fiction by Ring Lardner.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** John, Mr. Knowles, Knowles, young Mr. Knowles

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

## Who they are

Young man on the make, forever measuring himself against the people he wants to impress and coming up a little short in his own eyes.

## Relationships

### [Carlotta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/carlotta)

_romantic_

Carlotta and John Knowles are involved in a romantic relationship, with emotional intensity.

### [Mr. Elliott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/mr_elliott)

_professional_

John Knowles and Mr. Elliott have a professional relationship, perhaps as student-teacher or employee-supervisor.

### [Carlotta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/carlotta)

_romantic_

Carlotta and John Knowles are involved in a romantic relationship, with emotional intensity.

### [Mr. Elliott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/mr_elliott)

_professional_

John Knowles and Mr. Elliott have a professional relationship, perhaps as student-teacher or employee-supervisor.

### [Carlotta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/carlotta)

_romantic_

Carlotta and John Knowles are involved in a romantic relationship, with emotional intensity.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i)

Manager who signs Elliott and tries to find a position for him.

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

Tries to manage the rooming situation, asking the narrator to room with Elliott.

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

John manages the team, considering releasing Elliott but ultimately relying on his hitting to win games.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vi)

John is furious with Elliott's on-field mistake but is too stunned to react physically.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/viii)

John sends the check to Elliott as part of the team's decision.

### [II: Starting Gaily](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii-starting-gaily)

The narrator, who partakes of fried chicken and doughnuts and hopes to meet normal people.

### [XI: How It Ended](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xi-how-it-ended)

Brother of the narrator, mentions crying during the night.

### [VIII: Football Trick Uncorked](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/viii-football-trick-uncorked)

Narrator and Yale football captain, uses a trick play to win against Harvard.

### [Promoted to Contest Editor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xvii-promoted-to-contest-editor)

Narrator and newly appointed contest editor; devises the famous men guessing contest.

### [Absentminded Beggar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/absentminded-beggar)

Absentminded poet, struggles with practical matters, falls in love with Irene Comerford.

## Links

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