Jodi Character Analysis in Such a Fun Age

Jodi is one of Alix’s best friends. Alix met Jodi in the waiting room at Briar’s four-month checkup, and Jodi introduced her to Tamra and Rachel, who quickly welcomed Alix into their friend group. Like Tamra and Rachel, Jodi is a smart, confident, and snarky woman with a successful career and children—she is a children’s casting director, and she and her husband Walter have two children together, Prudence and Payne. When Alix lived in Manhattan, she and her friends would regularly get together to talk and drink wine. They’d support each other as they navigated the challenges of their careers and motherhood, and Alix misses her friends greatly when she moves to Philadelphia. Like the other women, Jodi pays a regular sitter, Carmen, to care for her children. Jodi is the more caring and compassionate friend of the group, particularly in comparison to Rachel, who can be overly direct and unfeeling at times. Because Alix’s friends only know Alix’s (incomplete) version of her high school drama with Kelley Copeland, they stand by her when she expresses concern over Emira and Kelley’s relationship.

Jodi Character Timeline in Such a Fun Age

The timeline below shows where the character Jodi appears in Such a Fun Age. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...just yet. In addition to her blossoming career, she now has a group of girlfriends—Rachel, Jodi, and Tamra—for the first time since college. Alix’s friends have young kids and careers, too,... (full context)

...sits down on a bench outside the café. Then she sends a group text to Jodi, Rachel, and Tamra telling them she urgently needs to talk to them. Alix considers her... (full context)

White Guilt, Ignorance, and Redemption Theme Icon

...whole thing is her fault, since she’s the one who sent Emira to Market Depot. Jodi changes the subject and, her voice heavy with concern, asks Alix how much weight she’s... (full context)

...how, when her son was a toddler, he would talk—loudly and in public places—about penises. Jodi, then pregnant with her son, Payne, goes next. A children’s casting director, she recalls a... (full context)

...and she’s made no progress on her book. None of this matters, though, because Rachel, Jodi, and Tamra are coming to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving. And then Alix will return to New... (full context)

Alix stands to the side and watches her friends fuss over Emira. Then Alix catches Jodi’s eye and discreetly calls her over. They head into the laundry room, and the other... (full context)

...Alix, still flustered, tries to explain that they were meant to be a joke, but Jodi cuts her off and says that they’re nice. Alix is grateful for her friend’s support.... (full context)

...wrapped around Emira. Alix wants to slap him and say, “Don’t touch. That’s Mama’s.” When Jodi squeezes Alix’s hand and says, “grab your girl,” Alix initially thinks Jodi’s referring to Emira,... (full context)

...brunch. Tamra laughs wryly and tells Alix that the situation makes total sense to her. Jodi doesn’t understand exactly what’s wrong with Kelley—doesn’t he obviously like Emira? And is it racist... (full context)

...her ex—she’s not still hung up on him—it’s that she’s concerned about him hurting Emira. Jodi interjects, cautiously, to say that it seems like Kelley genuinely likes Emira. And even if... (full context)