# Mr. Coventry — Behind a Mask character guide

> Mr. Coventry in Behind a Mask by Louisa May Alcott.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Coventry, the younger Coventry, Gerald

**First appearance:** 0000-i-jean-muir

## Who they are

Gerald Coventry, the proud, languid younger son, vows to ignore the new governess and instead finds himself reading her letters far too closely.

## Relationships

### [Jean Muir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/jean_muir)

_psychological_

Jean Muir manipulates Mr. Coventry through calculated charm and feigned vulnerability to secure his affection and social position.

### [Ned Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/ned_coventry)

_family_

Mr. Coventry is Ned's older brother and acts as a stern, protective guardian over the impulsive younger man.

### [Bella Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/bella_coventry)

_family_

Bella is Mr. Coventry's younger sister, and he is her doting but often overbearing brother.

### [Lucia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/lucia)

_romantic_

Lucia is Mr. Coventry's betrothed, but their relationship is strained by his growing attraction to Jean Muir.

### [Lady Sydney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/lady_sydney)

_social_

Lady Sydney is a family friend and neighbor who observes the Coventry household with mild curiosity.

### [Sir John Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/sir_john_coventry)

_family_

Mr. Coventry is Sir John's nephew and heir, with a respectful but distant relationship.

### [Dean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/dean)

_professional_

Dean is a household servant who obeys Mr. Coventry's orders but also secretly aids Jean Muir.

### [Jean Muir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/jean_muir)

_psychological_

Jean Muir manipulates Mr. Coventry through calculated charm and feigned vulnerability to secure his affection and social position.

### [Ned Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/ned_coventry)

_family_

Mr. Coventry is Ned's older brother and acts as a stern, protective guardian over the impulsive younger man.

### [Jean Muir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/jean_muir)

_psychological_

Jean Muir manipulates Mr. Coventry through calculated charm and feigned vulnerability to secure his affection and social position.

### [Bella Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/bella_coventry)

_family_

Bella is Mr. Coventry's younger sister, and he is her doting but often overbearing brother.

### [Lady Sydney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/lady_sydney)

_social_

Lady Sydney is a family friend and neighbor who observes the Coventry household with mild curiosity.

## In the story

### [I: Jean Muir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/i-jean-muir)

Languid and dismissive toward the governess at first, but becomes intrigued by her hidden spirit.

### [A Good Beginning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/ii-a-good-beginning)

Enters late, is dismissive of Jean, but shows a flicker of curiosity about her stories and her effect on others.

### [III: Passion and Pique](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/iii-passion-and-pique)

Gerald remains distrustful of Jean and observes her interactions with Edward. He is wounded by Edward in a fit of jealousy, but later thanks Jean for her frankness and agrees to help send Edward away, showing a more honorable and chivalrous side.

### [IV: A Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/iv-a-discovery)

Confined to his room, he becomes intrigued by Jean's elusiveness and orchestrates a meeting; questions Bella about Jean's behavior.

### [V: How the Girl Did It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/v-how-the-girl-did-it)

Gerald is captivated by Jean's performance and agrees to participate in a tableau with her. He becomes emotionally involved, offering her friendship and protection despite Lucia's jealousy.

### [On the Watch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/vi-on-the-watch)

Decides to reform his idle ways, confesses his love to Jean, and confronts Lucia and Dean over their surveillance.

### [VII: The Last Chance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/vii-the-last-chance)

Pressures Jean for a declaration of love, recounts his painful breakup with Lucia, and expresses both fascination and distrust, calling Jean a witch.

### [Suspense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/viii-suspense)

Lingers about the house, rides away to his duties; later returns upon hearing false news of Edward's death.

### [Lady Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/ix-lady-coventry)

Confesses his love for Jean and is devastated by the revelations; he is the target of Jean's final taunt.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/mr_coventry
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters