# Roddy Olivier — Mary Olivier: A Life character guide > Roddy Olivier in Mary Olivier: A Life by May Sinclair. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Roddy, Rodney, Rodney Olivier, Master Roddy, poor Roddy, dear Mr. Roddy **First appearance:** 0000-book-i-infancy-1865-1869 ## Snapshot Mary's brother, whose red-faced steadiness on Greffington Edge and likeness to Mark make him both a comfort and a worry to the family. ## Who they are Roddy is the Olivier brother who looks like Mark, with steady eyes and a firm, proud mouth, and whose comings and goings stir both joy and anxiety. He walks the hills with Mary, and his likeness to Mark makes him a living measure of what the family expects from its sons. His presence keeps the sibling bond at the center of Mary's early world. ## Relationships ### [Mamma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/characters/mamma) _family_ Mamma's relationship with Roddy is more relaxed and affectionate than with her other children, but still tinged with her need for control and his rebelliousness. ### [Mary Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/characters/mary_olivier) _family_ Mary and Roddy share a playful, affectionate sibling bond, with Roddy's warmth contrasting with Mary's seriousness, but they are allies against Mamma's control. ### [Mark Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/characters/mark_olivier) _family_ Mark and Roddy have a brotherly relationship with occasional camaraderie but also rivalry and Mark's dismissive attitude toward Roddy's simpler nature. ### [Mamma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/characters/mamma) _family_ Mamma's relationship with Roddy is more relaxed and affectionate than with her other children, but still tinged with her need for control and his rebelliousness. ### [Mary Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/characters/mary_olivier) _family_ Mary and Roddy share a playful, affectionate sibling bond, with Roddy's warmth contrasting with Mary's seriousness, but they are allies against Mamma's control. ### [Mamma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/characters/mamma) _family_ Mamma's relationship with Roddy is more relaxed and affectionate than with her other children, but still tinged with her need for control and his rebelliousness. ### [Mark Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/characters/mark_olivier) _family_ Mark and Roddy have a brotherly relationship with occasional camaraderie but also rivalry and Mark's dismissive attitude toward Roddy's simpler nature. ### [Mark Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/characters/mark_olivier) _family_ Mark and Roddy have a brotherly relationship with occasional camaraderie but also rivalry and Mark's dismissive attitude toward Roddy's simpler nature. ### [Mary Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/characters/mary_olivier) _family_ Mary and Roddy share a playful, affectionate sibling bond, with Roddy's warmth contrasting with Mary's seriousness, but they are allies against Mamma's control. ## In the story ### [Book I: Infancy (1865–1869)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/chapters/book-i-infancy-1865-1869) Another of Mary's brothers, part of the family dynamic. ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/chapters/chapter-i) One of Mary's brothers, present at the dinner table and in the nursery, where he receives Jenny's affection. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/chapters/chapter-ii) Roddy sings forbidden songs and shows a rebellious streak, using the song about John Brown's body to express defiance. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/chapters/chapter-iv) Mary's older brother, age eight, who is also taught by Miss Thompson and later causes her departure due to his slow progress. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/chapters/chapter-vi) Roddy accompanies Mary to the cemetery and tries to frighten her with talk of plague pits, but also shares her fear. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/chapters/chapter-vii) Present at the departure breakfast, shares in the family's grief. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/chapters/chapter-xx) Roddy is present during the encounter with Mr. Sutcliffe, showing a proud and angry demeanor reminiscent of Mark. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/chapters/chapter-xxi) Mentioned as being present at the funeral and potentially leaving home, his absence would leave Mary alone. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/chapters/chapter-xxii) Anxious about being sent to Canada, tries to calculate the cost of his own death, and later shows excitement about the adventure, but Mary senses his deeper hurt. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/chapters/chapter-xxvi) Roddy returns from Canada, ill. He dies in his sleep, his face innocent and candid. Mary feels she should have known and prevented his going. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/chapters/chapter-xxvii) Roddy is mentioned as having died, and his room is now used by Dan. Mary reflects on Roddy's unhappiness and his death. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/characters/roddy_olivier - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_olivier_a_life_se/characters