Jimmy Character Analysis in Bud, Not Buddy

Jimmy is one of the band members and one of Herman E. Calloway’s closest friends. He is the one who invites Bud Caldwell to go out to eat with the band after Herman denies that Bud is his son, and he is also the one who oftentimes diffuses some tense moments between Herman and Bud. Moreover, along with Miss Thomas, he is the one who explains Bud’s mother’s relationship to Herman. He is also the one who breaks the news to Bud that Herman isn’t his father, but his grandfather—Bud’s mother was Herman’s daughter. Bud considers Jimmy, like other members of the band, part of his new family.

Jimmy Character Timeline in Bud, Not Buddy

The timeline below shows where the character Jimmy appears in Bud, Not Buddy. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

The “horn guy” named Jimmy asks if “Miss Thomas,” sent him, but Bud ignores him and keeps walking to see... (full context)

The men get very quiet. Jimmy asks Bud if his name is Bud, and when Bud says yes eagerly, Jimmy connects... (full context)

Jimmy tells Bud that someone must be worried about him in Flint, but Bud tells them... (full context)

Economic Insecurity and Community Theme Icon

He hears Herman tell Jimmy that this is Jimmy’s “little red wagon” to pull how he wants before Jimmy calls... (full context)

...a pipe, and walks out. Bud wishes his father wasn’t Herman, but Lefty Lewis or Jimmy since Herman seems so difficult. (full context)

Jimmy introduces Bud to the rest of the bandmates: the Thug, Dirty Deed (the only white... (full context)

Jimmy tells them that Bud will go with them for dinner, and he and Herman will... (full context)

...Bug, tells Bud to not address them as “sir,” since they’re not as old as Jimmy or his “long-lost dear old daddy.” They laugh and then all of them take turns... (full context)

Bud sees Herman and Jimmy sitting at a table with a woman. He sees there’s one more table reserved for... (full context)

Jimmy calls Bud over and introduces him to Miss Thomas, the band’s “vocal stylist.” She explains... (full context)

...for not noticing the cut is infected. Herman tells Miss Thomas to “talk to James” (Jimmy), because “he’s the one who looked at the kid.” (full context)

...cider for Bud and orders the same thing for herself. Bud is amazed to see Jimmy and Steady Eddie order different things and thinks about “rich folks” that “[go] to restaurants... (full context)

At the table, Bud also notices how funny Jimmy is and how his stories of his travels with Herman make everyone at their table... (full context)

...the band. Bud hands Steady Eddie his recorder and stands up. Steady Eddie then asks Jimmy to proceed with the naming, and Jimmy opens the floor to the band members to... (full context)

Jimmy tries the name out and the other band members are in favor of it. Jimmy... (full context)

Miss Thomas arrives with Jimmy and Herman and thanks Bud for doing a great job, but Bud is mesmerized by... (full context)

...Herman has decided to stay to catch up with Eugene, an old band member, so Jimmy tells Bud to finish packing things into the Packard. Afterwards, Bud will have to ride... (full context)

Eventually they arrive at Grand Calloway Station, and while Jimmy helps them unload, Bud finally shows Herman his rocks. Herman reaches for the rocks and... (full context)

...Herman. Herman asks about the rocks again, “sounding meaner than he ever had before,” prompting Jimmy to walk over quickly. Jimmy eventually stands between Bud and Herman. (full context)

...tells him he hasn’t been. Herman asks him again where he got the rocks from. Jimmy reads the rocks and sees that they say “Flint, Michigan, August eight, 1911,” and “Gary,... (full context)

Jimmy asks him where he got the rocks from, and Bud responds he got them from... (full context)

...he’d been struck blind,” and Bud confirms that his reaction means Herman is his father. Jimmy tells him he’s wrong—he reveals to Bud that Angela Janet was Herman’s daughter’s name, meaning... (full context)

Herman locks himself in his room while Bud sits at the kitchen table. After Jimmy and Miss Thomas fail to get Herman out, they go back to Bud. They ask... (full context)

Jimmy asks Bud how his mother passed, and Bud responds that she passed when he was... (full context)

...and goes back to the kitchen. He drops the picture on middle of the table. Jimmy and Miss Thomas both look at it, but it is Miss Thomas who eventually picks... (full context)

Jimmy asks Bud if he’s sure the woman is his mother, and Bud says he’s sure.... (full context)

...to check in on him and Momma, so his mother wouldn’t have been so sad. Jimmy and Miss Thomas exchange looks, and then Miss Thomas asks Bud for his hand. (full context)

...they didn’t know about him, and that “no one knew where [his] mother had gone.” Jimmy interjects and says that Herman was hard on her, but Miss Thomas politely asks him... (full context)

...Herman could love anyone. Miss Thomas tells Bud to be patient with Herman, just as Jimmy comes back down and tells her that Herman wants her. Bud excuses her and takes... (full context)