This Boy’s Life

by

Tobias Wolff

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Mr. Howard Character Analysis

An alumnus of the prestigious Hill School, Mr. Howard meets with Jack to do an informal interview during the admissions process and to advise him on the joys—and difficulties—of life at boarding school. Mr. Howard has a vested interest in Jack’s success, and, after he is admitted, takes him shopping for suits, shoes, and other fashionable clothes he’ll need to fit in at Hill.
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Mr. Howard Character Timeline in This Boy’s Life

The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Howard appears in This Boy’s Life. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 24
Storytelling and Escapism Theme Icon
Education Theme Icon
...phone call—it is an alumnus of a school called the Hill School. The man, Mr. Howard, lives in Seattle and wants to talk to Jack in person; the school is “interested”... (full context)
Storytelling and Escapism Theme Icon
Identity and Performance Theme Icon
Education Theme Icon
Jack tells Mr. Howard to meet him at the Concrete drugstore—he knows that kids from school will be there,... (full context)
Storytelling and Escapism Theme Icon
Identity and Performance Theme Icon
Education Theme Icon
None of Mr. Howard’s warnings, though, put Jack off the idea of prep school; he tells the man that... (full context)
Storytelling and Escapism Theme Icon
Education Theme Icon
As Mr. Howard drops Jack back off at school, he offers him one more warning about the difficulties... (full context)
Chapter 27
Storytelling and Escapism Theme Icon
Education Theme Icon
...of all the madness, Jack receives another telephone call at school one day from Mr. Howard, who informs him that he has been admitted to Hill and will be receiving his... (full context)
Chapter 28
Abuse Theme Icon
...to go down to Seattle the next day so that Jack can meet with Mr. Howard and get fitted for some clothes. (full context)
Chapter 29
Storytelling and Escapism Theme Icon
Education Theme Icon
Jack meets Mr. Howard and his wife for lunch, and over the meal Mr. Howard happily reminisces about his... (full context)
Identity and Performance Theme Icon
Education Theme Icon
Mr. Howard and Mrs. Howard take Jack to Mr. Howard’s tailor, where he’s fitted for suits. Mr.... (full context)