# Jean Roland — Pierre and Jean character guide > Jean Roland in Pierre and Jean by Guy de Maupassant. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Jean, Jean Bart, Monsieur Jean, M. Jean, Jean the rich, M'sieu Jean **First appearance:** 0001-pierre-and-jean ## Snapshot The younger Roland son, easygoing and unambitious, whose unexpected windfall and quick engagement to the widow next door quietly upend his brother's sense of fairness. ## Who they are Jean is the more relaxed, agreeable brother — content to drift, less driven than Pierre, and genuinely puzzled by the resentment his good fortune provokes. His inheritance from the late M. Maréchal transforms him overnight from the overlooked son into the family's center of gravity, and his calm acceptance of it only widens the rift with Pierre. His engagement to Mme. Rosémilly and his new wealth make him the unwitting catalyst for the household's unraveling. ## Relationships ### [Pierre Roland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/pierre_roland) _rivalry_ Brothers consumed by jealousy and resentment, especially after Jean inherits a fortune that Pierre believes should be his. ### [Old Roland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/old_roland) _family_ Father and favored son, with a comfortable and affectionate relationship. ### [Marowsko](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/marowsko) _friendship_ Jean is friendly with Marowsko, though their interactions are less intimate than Marowsko's bond with Pierre. ### [Captain Beausire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/captain_beausire) _friendship_ Captain Beausire is a friendly acquaintance who socializes with Jean. ### [Pierre Roland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/pierre_roland) _rivalry_ Brothers consumed by jealousy and resentment, especially after Jean inherits a fortune that Pierre believes should be his. ### [Pierre Roland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/pierre_roland) _rivalry_ Brothers consumed by jealousy and resentment, especially after Jean inherits a fortune that Pierre believes should be his. ### [Old Roland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/old_roland) _family_ Father and favored son, with a comfortable and affectionate relationship. ### [Marowsko](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/marowsko) _friendship_ Jean is friendly with Marowsko, though their interactions are less intimate than Marowsko's bond with Pierre. ### [Old Roland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/old_roland) _family_ Father and favored son, with a comfortable and affectionate relationship. ### [Captain Beausire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/captain_beausire) _friendship_ Captain Beausire is a friendly acquaintance who socializes with Jean. ## In the story ### [Of "The Novel"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/chapters/of-the-novel) Referenced as the other brother in the novel 'Pierre and Jean', central to the story Maupassant discusses. ### [Pierre and Jean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/chapters/pierre-and-jean) Portrayed as calm and content, the favored son in the family dynamic. ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/chapters/i) The younger son, a lawyer, is gentle and favored by their mother and Mme. Rosémilly; he is the sole heir of Maréchal's fortune. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/chapters/ii) Jean is found sitting alone at the end of the breakwater, enjoying the fresh air and reflecting on his newfound wealth. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/chapters/iii) Silent but visibly happy about his inheritance; discussed by the family regarding his future plans. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/chapters/iv) Jean is the beneficiary of Maréchal's fortune and of his mother's active efforts to secure him a comfortable life, including a new apartment. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/chapters/v) Jean is the beneficiary of Maréchal's legacy and the focus of Pierre's resentment. He remains unaware of the tension and is annoyed by Pierre's rudeness. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/chapters/vi) Preoccupied with his new wealth and his courtship of Mme. Rosémilly, he announces his intention to marry her. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/chapters/vii) Initially stunned, then confronts Pierre about his jealousy; later comforts their mother and escorts her home. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/chapters/viii) Struggles with the moral dilemma of keeping Maréchal's fortune, ultimately deciding to keep it. He supports his mother and arranges a position for Pierre on the Lorraine. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/chapters/ix) Congratulates Pierre on his appointment; leads the way with Mme. Rosémilly after farewell; his engagement to Mme. Rosémilly is mentioned. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/jean_roland - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters