Previous
Malvonne
Acton is the arrogant young man (the “rooster,” as Joe puts it) that Dorcas leaves Joe for. Whereas Joe is patient with Dorcas, Acton is often critical of her, refusing her public displays of affection and making disparaging remarks about her weight. Felice notes that Dorcas chases after Acton in much the same way that Joe chases after Dorcas. Acton is present at the party where Dorcas is shot, and they are dancing together when Joe arrives (though Acton seems inappropriately nonchalant about his lover’s serious injuries).
Acton Quotes in Jazz
The Jazz quotes below are all either spoken by Acton or refer to Acton. 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:
).
Chapter 8 Quotes
They agree on everything above the waist and below: muscle, tendon, bone joint and marrow cooperate. And if the dancers hesitate, have a moment of doubt, the music will solve and dissolve any question.
Dorcas is happy. Happier than she has ever been any time. No white strands grow in her partner’s mustache. He is up and coming. Hawk-eyed, tireless and a little cruel. He has never given her a present or even thought about it. Sometimes he is where he says he will be; sometimes not. Other women want him—badly—and he has been selective. What they want and the prize it is his to give is his savvy self. What could a pair of silk stockings be compared to him? No contest. Dorcas is lucky. Knows it. And is as happy as she has ever been any time.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
I want to sleep, but it is clear now. So clear the dark bowl the pile of oranges. Just oranges. Bright. Listen. I don’t know who is that woman singing but I know the words by heart.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Jazz LitChart as a printable PDF.
"My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." -Graham S.
Acton Character Timeline in Jazz
The timeline below shows where the character Acton appears in Jazz. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 8
...dancing brothers” are anywhere. Dorcas feels excited and alert, dancing closely with her new lover Acton. Their bodies move perfectly in sync, and though Dorcas has to chase this man—buying him...
(full context)
...coming for her; he might even arrive soon to this party, where she is with Acton and her best friend Felice. Dorcas is proud that Acton judges her when she wears...
(full context)
...has arrived and that he seems to be crying. Dorcas feels like she is falling. Acton seems annoyed, and Felice is begging Dorcas to explain what happened, what Joe did. Dorcas...
(full context)
Chapter 9
When Dorcas started dating Acton, she borrowed that ring. Dorcas used to spend hours trying to find presents for Acton;...
(full context)
...she didn’t have a boy of her own there; she was just accompanying Dorcas and Acton. It’s warm outside, and Violet’s catfish is good, though too spicy. Felice needs to drink...
(full context)
