Jackson Character Analysis in A Little Life

Jackson is a sculptor JB meets after his (JB’s) second show. Jackson isn’t the type of person JB would normally befriend: he’s rich and entitled, his sculptures are “stupid” and uninteresting, and he’s a drug addict who enables JB’s drug use. JB’s friends beg JB to stop seeing Jackson, but JB ignores them. Jackson, in return, ridicules JB’s friends for their concern. On one occasion, when he and JB are alone together, he even mock-imitates Jude’s limp. Later, in a drug-fueled rage, JB copies Jackson’s cruel imitation, and this thoughtless act of cruelty irreparably damages JB’s friendship with Jude and Willem.

Jackson Character Timeline in A Little Life

The timeline below shows where the character Jackson appears in A Little Life. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...trying to quit drugs. JB doesn’t consider himself an addict. Other people he knows are addicts—Jackson, Zane, and Hera, for instance—but he hasn’t yet “slipped over the edge.” (full context)

JB wonders what came first: realizing his friends were boring, or becoming friends with Jackson. He met Jackson after his second show, which happened five years after his first. The... (full context)

It’s true that Jackson is an “asshole.” And JB becomes one when he’s around him, too. Once, a few... (full context)

...apartment after Jude called to say he’d gotten rid of the drugs, he arrived with Jackson. Jude pleaded with JB to come with him, knowing that JB would use drugs if... (full context)

...secrets but doesn’t share any of his own. Then JB imitates Jude’s limp, just like Jackson had months ago. Willem lunges at JB. JB hears bones cracking, and then he passes... (full context)