Jeremy

Jeremy is one of the two main characters in “Crusader Rabbit” by Jess Mowry.

Outer characterization

Jeremy's outer characterization reveals that he is a young teenager who lives on the streets. He is possibly African American, as suggested by his “dusk-colored body” (l. 16). His physical portrait is conveyed several times using Raglan’s perspective: “The boy wore only ragged jeans, the big Airwalks on his bare feet buried somewhere below, and his wiry, dusk-colored body glistened with sweat.” (ll. 14-17);

…small muscles standing out under tight skin, big hands and feet like puppy paws and hair like an ebony dandelion puff. A ring glinted gold and fierce in his left ear, and a red bandanna, sodden with sweat, hung loosely around his neck. His eyes were bright obsidian but closed now, the bruise-like marks beneath them were fading, and his teeth flashed strong and white as he panted. (ll. 20-25)

Jeremy is Raglan’s ‘help’. He helps the man to look through rubbish for tin cans to sell them to the recycling center. He is a drug addict, as we later find out he is injecting himself: “Raglan knelt and pulled the strip tighter. His eyes were distant again, neither watching nor looking away as the boy put the needle in.” (ll. 88-90). Furthermore, when Raglan found him two months before, “the boy wouldn't have lived another week.” (l. 129) suggesting he was very ill and that this was caused by drug abuse.

Inner characterization

Jeremy’s inner characterization is conveyed through dialogue and actions.

In relation to Raglan, Jeremy first comes across as a curious. He is interested in Raglan’s past and his stories: “ ‘I know your old name. I seen it on your driver license. Why's your street name Raglan?’ ” (ll. 74-75); “Jeremy moved close to Raglan. ‘So, you never seen tha...