# The Man — Mary, Mary character guide

> The Man in Mary, Mary by James Stephens.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0005-iv

## Who they are

An enigmatic figure who interacts with Mary and others.

## Relationships

### [Mary Makebelieve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/characters/mary_makebelieve)

_psychological_

Mary Makebelieve is deeply entangled with The Man in a manipulative, obsessive dynamic where he exerts control over her reality.

### [The Young Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/characters/the_young_man)

_rivalry_

The Man and The Young Man are rivals, competing for influence over Mary Makebelieve and clashing over their opposing agendas.

### [Mrs. Makebelieve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/characters/mrs_makebelieve)

_social_

Mrs. Makebelieve and The Man are acquaintances, with her wary of his influence over her daughter.

### [Patrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/characters/patrick)

_rivalry_

Patrick and The Man are antagonists, with Patrick trying to protect Mary from The Man's harmful influence.

### [Mr. Cafferty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/characters/mr_cafferty)

_social_

Mr. Cafferty and The Man are slight acquaintances, with Mr. Cafferty keeping his distance.

### [Mrs. Cafferty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/characters/mrs_cafferty)

_social_

Mrs. Cafferty and The Man are barely acquainted, with her avoiding him due to his unsettling reputation.

### [Norah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/characters/norah)

_social_

Norah and The Man have a single, tense encounter, with Norah feeling uneasy in his presence.

### [Mary Makebelieve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/characters/mary_makebelieve)

_psychological_

Mary Makebelieve is deeply entangled with The Man in a manipulative, obsessive dynamic where he exerts control over her reality.

### [Mary Makebelieve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/characters/mary_makebelieve)

_psychological_

Mary Makebelieve is deeply entangled with The Man in a manipulative, obsessive dynamic where he exerts control over her reality.

### [Mrs. Makebelieve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/characters/mrs_makebelieve)

_social_

Mrs. Makebelieve and The Man are acquaintances, with her wary of his influence over her daughter.

### [The Young Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/characters/the_young_man)

_rivalry_

The Man and The Young Man are rivals, competing for influence over Mary Makebelieve and clashing over their opposing agendas.

### [The Young Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/characters/the_young_man)

_rivalry_

The Man and The Young Man are rivals, competing for influence over Mary Makebelieve and clashing over their opposing agendas.

## In the story

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

A large policeman who converses with Mary, explaining various facts about the park and displaying his knowledge.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/xiii)

The big policeman who frequently meets Mary, takes her to restaurants, and tells her stories while subtly questioning her.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/xvii)

Referenced as the policeman Mary hopes and fears to see; she imagines him searching for her in the Phoenix Park.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/xxii)

The policeman Mary sees while shopping; described as gigantic and calm.

### [The Proposal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/xxx)

The policeman (the man) formally proposes to Mary in front of her mother, pleading his case despite their hostility. He is persistent but ultimately rejected.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/characters/the_man
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/characters