# Narrator — My Four Weeks in France character guide

> Narrator in My Four Weeks in France by Ring Lardner.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** I, mine, Mine, I—became, I., Your

**First appearance:** 0000-i-dodging-submarines-to-cover-the-biggest-game-of-all

## Who they are

A sardonic American journalist chasing press credentials and first-floor rooms through wartime France, he turns air raids, stalled errands, and military red tape into deadpan comedy.

## Relationships

### [The Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/characters/the_doctor)

_friendship_

The narrator and the Doctor share a close, frequent companionship, likely as fellow travelers or workers in France.

### [Frenchy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/characters/frenchy)

_friendship_

Frenchy is a frequent companion of the narrator, suggesting a friendly and possibly jovial bond.

### [Mr. O’Flaherty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/characters/mr_o_flaherty)

_friendship_

Mr. O’Flaherty interacts often with the narrator, indicating a friendly or collegial relationship.

### [Joe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/characters/joe)

_friendship_

Joe is a frequent companion of the narrator, suggesting a close friendship or working partnership.

### [Mr. Hanson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/characters/mr_hanson)

_friendship_

Mr. Hanson interacts regularly with the narrator, indicating a friendly or professional acquaintance.

### [Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/characters/howard)

_friendship_

Howard is a frequent companion of the narrator, likely a friend or fellow traveler.

### [Mr. Brennan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/characters/mr_brennan)

_friendship_

Mr. Brennan interacts often with the narrator, suggesting a friendly or collegial bond.

### [Auguste](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/characters/auguste)

_friendship_

Auguste is a local French acquaintance of the narrator, likely a friendly contact.

### [Mr. Bowron](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/characters/mr_bowron)

_friendship_

Mr. Bowron interacts regularly with the narrator, indicating a friendly or working relationship.

### [M. de M. Hanson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/characters/m_de_m_hanson)

_social_

M. de M. Hanson is likely a French acquaintance or official the narrator meets during his stay.

### [Mr. Corey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/characters/mr_corey)

_friendship_

Mr. Corey is a moderate-frequency acquaintance of the narrator, likely a friendly contact.

### [O’Grady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/characters/o_grady)

_friendship_

O’Grady is a companion of the narrator, suggesting a friendly or working relationship.

## In the story

### [I: Dodging Submarines to Cover the Biggest Game of All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/chapters/i-dodging-submarines-to-cover-the-biggest-game-of-all)

The narrator is the central figure, documenting his recruitment and the absurdities of transatlantic travel.

### [II: I Get to Paris and Encounter Some Strange Sights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/chapters/ii-i-get-to-paris-and-encounter-some-strange-sights)

The narrator recounts his arrival in France, interrogation in Bordeaux, and first impressions of Paris.

### [III: I Try to Get to the American Camp—But Meet Disaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/chapters/iii-i-try-to-get-to-the-american-camp-but-meet-disaster)

The narrator struggles to obtain passes, navigates Parisian traffic, and recounts the failed car trip.

### [IV: Finally I Get to the American Camp; What I Find There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/chapters/iv-finally-i-get-to-the-american-camp-what-i-find-there)

The narrator visits the American camp, interacts with correspondents and officers, and returns to Paris.

### [My Adventures at the British Front](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/chapters/v-my-adventures-at-the-british-front)

The narrator receives permission to visit the British front, obtains a uniform, and travels to a château. He observes training camps and the Chinese labor camp.

### [How I Didn’t Drive Major Blank’s Car to Camp Such-and-Such](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/chapters/vi-how-i-didn-t-drive-major-blank-s-car-to-camp-such-and-such)

The narrator attempts to drive a major's car to camp but is defeated by bureaucracy.

### [VII: I Start Home, with a Stopover at London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/chapters/vii-i-start-home-with-a-stopover-at-london)

The narrator recounts his journey from Paris to London, dealing with officials and registering with police.

### [VIII: Back in Old "O Say"; I Start Answering Questions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/chapters/viii-back-in-old-o-say-i-start-answering-questions)

The narrator describes his voyage home, his interactions on the ship, and his return to the United States.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/characters/narrator
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_four_weeks_in_france_se/characters