# Jack Means — The Hoosier Schoolmaster character guide

> Jack Means in The Hoosier Schoolmaster by Edward Eggleston.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Here Mrs. Means, Jack, Mrs. Means, old Jack, Old Jack Means, Mrs. Old Jack Means

**First appearance:** 0003-i-a-private-lesson-from-a-bulldog

## Snapshot

Old Jack Means shaves shingles, spits, and sizes up schoolmasters by the pound, warning Ralph that Flat Creek has driven off the last two and licked the one before.

## Who they are

As the trustee who pays the most taxes and therefore runs the school, Jack Means greets Ralph with a bulldog at his heels and two brawny sons at his side, offering the job as a dare rather than a welcome. Blunt, superstitious about 'saft' sorts, and proud of his district's rough reputation, he values spunk over sinew of the scholarly kind. His grudging permission sets the whole ordeal in motion, and his household becomes the first proving ground where Ralph must earn his keep.

## In the story

### [The Hoosier Schoolmaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/the-hoosier-schoolmaster)

The man who meets Ralph at the edge of the settlement and brings him to his home, acting as a guide and initial host, showing a rough but not unfriendly demeanor.

### [I: A Private Lesson from a Bulldog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/i-a-private-lesson-from-a-bulldog)

The first trustee Ralph meets, who warns him about the difficulty of the district and offers him lodging.

### [III: Mirandy, Hank, and Shocky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/iii-mirandy-hank-and-shocky)

Mrs. Means's husband, who is mentioned as having made his fortune from Congress land.

### [IV: Spelling Down the Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/iv-spelling-down-the-master)

The head of the Means household, who jokes and participates in the spelling-school.

### [V: The Walk Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/v-the-walk-home)

Mentioned as Hannah's master, though not present in the scene.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters/jack_means
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/characters