Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

John Ames (Jack) Boughton

There's a steak of meanness to Jack Boughton—he'd have fit right in at the high school in Mean Girls. He is not, however, a villain. Or fetch. Ames calls him a Prodigal Son, and that's about right. Ames might be the older brother in this analogy—unable to forgive old transgressions.

Ames would have preferred, initially at least, to die in peace, spending his remaining time with his family and preaching to his flock. He didn't welcome Jack's return to town or the disturbance it brought. Jack shows up and pretty soon seems to be positioning himself as Ames's replacement to his wife and son. The relatively young Boughton can't help be a bother, finding ways to take offense and be offensive. Did we mention Mean Girls material?

For a while, we take Jack Boughton to be the threat Ames takes him to be. He sure seems to be picking theological fights and putting the moves on Lila. The truth, however, is that Jack is in bad shape. Character flaws aside, he's desperate for resolution in his life, in his heart, and in his mind. He'd like to know what he needs to do and have the strength to do it. It tears him up that he doesn't have the answers or the drive to see things through.