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Guardsman Doyle
Major Sparks is the army doctor who gives Jack a physical examination to determine if he’s qualified to enlist in the army. The entire time he inspects Jack, he tries to talk to Rudyard, since he—along with his colleague, Colonel Pottle—are such big fans of Rudyard’s books. Things get awkward, though, when Sparks realizes Jack can’t even read the top line of letters on a vision test. Because of this, Sparks says, Jack can’t join the army. Sparks and Pottle were both willing and ready to bend the rules for Rudyard’s sake, but bending them this far is simply out of the question. This enrages Rudyard, who suggests that Sparks and Pottle are both cowards for sticking so closely to the rules.
Major Sparks Quotes in My Boy Jack
The My Boy Jack quotes below are all either spoken by Major Sparks or refer to Major Sparks. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 1, Scene 2 Quotes
SPARKS. […] this is very severe myopia ...we couldn't possibly… (He turns to POTTLE for help.)
POTTLE. Not possibly. There are very strict guidelines.
SPARKS. I think [Pottle] would agree, we were prepared to, um, stretch a point…very keen to stretch a point, but…
POTTLE. There has to be a limit.
SPARKS. I'm sure you understand.
RUDYARD. Yes I understand, but his spectacles are extremely effective.
SPARKS. But if he should lose them he'd be a danger to himself.
POTTLE. And to his men.
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Explanation and Analysis:
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Major Sparks Character Timeline in My Boy Jack
The timeline below shows where the character Major Sparks appears in My Boy Jack. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 1, Scene 2
...go to the Army Medical Board, where they meet with an army doctor named Major Sparks and another official, Colonel Pottle. Both Sparks and Pottle are eager to talk to Rudyard,...
(full context)
As Rudyard and Pottle talk about cars, Sparks examines Jack. But soon he joins the conversation, noting that his own son wants a...
(full context)
Sparks tells Jack to take his glasses off for a vision test, but Jack quickly notes...
(full context)
Sparks and Pottle try to explain that there are strict rules about soldiers passing the eye...
(full context)
Rudyard argues on Jack’s behalf, pressuring Sparks and Pottle to make an exception. When this doesn’t work, Rudyard chastises Sparks and Pottle...
(full context)
Act 1, Scene 3
...some encouraging words, telling Jack not to be upset about the meeting that afternoon with Sparks and Pottle. He should “buck up” and keep moving. Jack agrees, saying that he plans...
(full context)
