Jayber Crow Research Paper

Jayber Crow

At an early age Jayber Crow thought he was called to go into the ministry, but after many experiences and many questions about his religion, he found himself living in Port William, Kentucky as the town barber. Jayber quickly came to realize he needed Port William and loved to live and work there. Port William also came to realize that it needed Jayber. Not only was he the town barber, but he became the town grave digger and the janitor of the town church. Jayber found a place where he felt loved and that he belonged, and he was becoming a productive citizen.

At the age of 10, Jayber’s life had been turned upside down. His aunt Cordie died, and he had no other relatives, so he was placed in The Good Shepherd orphanage. While at the orphanage, Jayber felt that he had been called into the ministry. After being orphaned at such a young age with nowhere to call home, he may have been looking too hard for a place to fit in or a place that he belonged. This could have led him to believe that he had been called to preach. He started pre-ministry at Pigeonville College, but before long he had started questioning his own beliefs and found himself wandering around looking for answers and a place to call home.
He loved that river because it always remained the same even when everything else changed around him. The river made him happy. After leaving Pigeonville, Jayber found himself in Lexington, but it was not long before he realized he needed to move on. Jayber eventually returned to his beloved river, and it led him to Port