Jess functions as a dynamic protagonist whose complex past shapes his navigation of civil conflict. His characterization emerges through a series of contrasts: his solitary nature versus his deep loyalty to Storey, his careful deliberation versus necessary violent action, and his poetic sensibility versus his outdoor survival skills. These dualities manifest in his history as both an aspiring poet and soccer player in youth and his adult pattern of extended solitary outdoor excursions that contributed to his marriage’s collapse. His past relationship with Storey’s mother, Hannah, which occurred when Jess was 17, creates an underlying tension that drives his protective actions toward Storey throughout their journey.

Unlike the more emotionally volatile Storey, Jess exhibits a methodical approach to survival, drawing on his experience with fishing boats and outdoor skills. His tactical decisions—choosing to scout locations alone, hiding their trail, selecting defensive positions—stem from both his practical knowledge and his sense of debt toward Storey. Yet his protective instincts extend beyond mere survival skills, as demonstrated by his careful handling of Collie’s emotional state, particularly regarding her dog’s death. 

The prayer stone, given to him by Jan, serves as a physical manifestation of his internal life, connecting his present circumstances to his romantic past while symbolizing his capacity for both attachment and loss.