The Tortilla Curtain

by

T. Coraghessan Boyle

Jack Cherrystone Character Analysis

Secretary of Arroyo Blanco Estates Property Owners’ Association. Jack Cherrystone is known for his loud voice, which he uses in his work narrating Hollywood movie trailers. Though not as blatantly bigoted as Jack Jardine, Jack Cherrystone actively supports building the wall around Arroyo Blanco and he condones Delaney’s stakeout project when the wall is vandalized, allowing Delaney to use his darkroom to develop the photos.
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Jack Cherrystone Character Timeline in The Tortilla Curtain

The timeline below shows where the character Jack Cherrystone appears in The Tortilla Curtain. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1, Chapter 3
Anger, Hatred, and Bigotry Theme Icon
Belonging and the American Dream Theme Icon
Delaney listens as various community members, including Jim Shirley and Jack Cherrystone , comment on the gate issue. He begins to worry, thinking: “Crime? Up here? Wasn’t... (full context)
Part 2, Chapter 3
Anger, Hatred, and Bigotry Theme Icon
Belonging and the American Dream Theme Icon
Violence Against Women Theme Icon
...investments” and is now on house arrest for the next three years. Jim Shirley and Jack Cherrystone were also present at the get-together. Delaney soon realized that the point of the gathering... (full context)
Part 2, Chapter 6
Anger, Hatred, and Bigotry Theme Icon
...onto his street and sees a man in a backwards baseball cap (José Navidad) crossing Jack Cherrystone ’s lawn. Delaney recognizes the man as the “hiker” he encountered in the canyon, and... (full context)
Part 3, Chapter 3
Anger, Hatred, and Bigotry Theme Icon
As he is talking to and sharing some Scotch with Jack Cherrystone , Delaney notices José Navidad and his friend. He “[doesn’t] try to correct himself, not... (full context)
Anger, Hatred, and Bigotry Theme Icon
The officer maintains that he has the situation under control but Jack Cherrystone insists that “if arson was involved [he] damn well want[s] to know about it.” At... (full context)
Anger, Hatred, and Bigotry Theme Icon
Belonging and the American Dream Theme Icon
...spits at him. In response, Delaney jumps José and begins punching him. The officer and Jack Cherrystone break up the fight. When José screams, “I kill you, motherfucker,” Delaney responds with “Fuck... (full context)
Part 3, Chapter 5
Anger, Hatred, and Bigotry Theme Icon
Fate, Luck, and Egotism Theme Icon
...“those sons of bitches who’d spray-painted the wall” and report them to Immigration for deportation. Jack Cherrystone has agreed to let Delaney use his darkroom, as he has in the past when... (full context)