Jackself

Jackself is the main recurring character throughout the collection, giving the book of poems a narrative cohesiveness. When first introduced Jackself is a young boy living in the house of Lamanby in rural England. As a child, Jackself is very anxious and timid, and finds himself greatly concerned with the prospect of growing older and leaving the securities of childhood. In school, he is considered stupid by his teacher and classmates, made to sit in the corner most days. Outside of class, the other kids his age ridicule him and give him degrading nicknames, like Peewit, and put him down instilling within him a sense of inadequacy.

Jackself’s life takes a turn for the better when he meets his first friend, Jeremy Wren. He and Jeremy Wren embark on a series of adventures and formative experiences with one another, allowing Jackself to live out his childhood in...