# Jean Daquin — Flight character guide

> Jean Daquin in Flight by Walter White.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Jean, papa Jean, Major Jean Daquin, Daquin

**First appearance:** 0001-flight

## Snapshot

Mimi's father, a gentle bookish man whose careful gifts of Balzac and Hardy are his quiet campaign to keep his daughter's mind larger than her wounds.

## Who they are

Jean sees the changes in Mimi — the hardening, the race-consciousness, the drift away from their old comradeship — and grieves without scolding, choosing instead to leave books where she will find them and to ask casual questions about what she reads. He understands that argument would only drive her further, so he practices a patient strategy of beauty and truth, slipping her The Way of All Flesh and keeping Tess just out of reach. Their talks grow rarer as she outpaces him, and he knows it, and loves her anyway. He is the conscience of the novel's early chapters, the standard against which Mimi measures every other man.

## Relationships

### [Mimi Daquin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/characters/mimi_daquin)

_family_

Jean is Mimi's father, deeply protective and concerned about her choices and safety.

### [Mary Robertson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/characters/mary_robertson)

_professional_

Jean is Mary's employer, as she works as a secretary or assistant in his business.

### [Mrs. Daquin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/characters/mrs_daquin)

_family_

Jean and Mrs. Daquin are married, with a traditional but strained partnership over Mimi's upbringing.

### [Carl Hunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/characters/carl_hunter)

_rivalry_

Carl and Jean clash over Carl's intentions toward Mimi, with Jean disapproving of him.

### [Margot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/characters/margot)

_romantic_

Margot is Jean's mistress, a secret affair that complicates his family life.

### [Dr. Adams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/characters/dr_adams)

_professional_

Dr. Adams is Jean's physician and also a family friend, advising him on health matters.

### [Mimi Daquin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/characters/mimi_daquin)

_family_

Jean is Mimi's father, deeply protective and concerned about her choices and safety.

### [Mimi Daquin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/characters/mimi_daquin)

_family_

Jean is Mimi's father, deeply protective and concerned about her choices and safety.

### [Mary Robertson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/characters/mary_robertson)

_professional_

Jean is Mary's employer, as she works as a secretary or assistant in his business.

### [Mrs. Daquin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/characters/mrs_daquin)

_family_

Jean and Mrs. Daquin are married, with a traditional but strained partnership over Mimi's upbringing.

### [Mary Robertson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/characters/mary_robertson)

_professional_

Jean is Mary's employer, as she works as a secretary or assistant in his business.

### [Mrs. Daquin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/characters/mrs_daquin)

_family_

Jean and Mrs. Daquin are married, with a traditional but strained partnership over Mimi's upbringing.

## In the story

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

Feels nostalgic for New Orleans and resentful of Mr. Robertson's domineering attitude, but resolves to endure the new life.

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

Shares family history and expresses reluctance about moving to Atlanta.

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

Refuses to hide his Catholic faith; stands up to Mrs. Daquin's suggestion; appreciates Mimi's support.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/chapters/iv)

Jean criticizes the materialism and loss of refinement in Atlanta, feeling out of place. He struggles to adapt to the new social environment and grieves his inability to attend mass.

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

Anxious about the racial tensions in Atlanta, he confronts a bank cashier about the unfair treatment and the danger of mob mentality, but finds little understanding at home.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/chapters/vi)

Grieves the changes in Mimi and his own life, reflecting on his past and his relationship with Mary. Proud of Mimi's graduation.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/chapters/viii)

Defends Mimi against Mrs. Daquin's accusations, expressing anger at Atlanta's gossip and nostalgia for New Orleans.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/chapters/x)

Critically ill; reflects on his dissatisfaction with Atlanta life and his longing for Louisiana.

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

Dies peacefully in his sleep, leaving Mimi to reflect on their last conversation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/characters/jean_daquin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flight_se/characters