# Jacques Rival — Bel Ami character guide

> Jacques Rival in Bel Ami by Guy de Maupassant.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Rival, Jacques

**First appearance:** 0001-ii

## Snapshot

A seasoned journalist and man about town, he knows how the paper really works and treats Duroy with the ease of an old hand.

## Who they are

Rival belongs to the Vie Francaise's inner circle of writers who shape its political campaigns and swap gossip over drinks. He is worldly, competent, and unimpressed by posturing, moving through salons and newsrooms with the same comfortable assurance. As Duroy rises, Rival remains a useful ally and a quiet measure of what a real journalist's career looks like.

## Relationships

### [George Duroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/george_duroy)

_friendship_

Jacques is a fellow journalist and friend who serves as a professional ally and occasional rival in the Parisian press world.

### [George Duroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/george_duroy)

_friendship_

Jacques is a fellow journalist and friend who serves as a professional ally and occasional rival in the Parisian press world.

### [George Duroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/george_duroy)

_friendship_

Jacques is a fellow journalist and friend who serves as a professional ally and occasional rival in the Parisian press world.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bel_ami_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as one of the guests expected at Forestier's dinner party.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bel_ami_se/chapters/ii)

Discusses military government for colonization and later speaks about duels.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bel_ami_se/chapters/iii)

Present in the newsroom, engaging in banter with Forestier about cup and ball.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bel_ami_se/chapters/v)

Duroy owes him three hundred francs, indicating a financial relationship and Rival's freehandedness.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bel_ami_se/chapters/vii)

Acts as Duroy's second, arranges the duel conditions, and coaches him in shooting.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bel_ami_se/chapters/xi)

Hosts the assault-at-arms event and uses the nickname 'Pretty-boy' for Duroy.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bel_ami_se/chapters/xv)

Present at the reception, he detains Duroy with conversation, nearly making him late for his meeting with Madame Walter.

### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bel_ami_se/chapters/xviii)

A journalist at the wedding, who converses with Norbert de Varenne about Duroy's career and his relationship with Madame Walter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/jacques_rival
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bel_ami_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bel_ami_se/characters