# Old Roland — Pierre and Jean character guide

> Old Roland in Pierre and Jean by Guy de Maupassant.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Roland, father Roland, M. Roland, Monsieur Roland

**First appearance:** 0001-pierre-and-jean

## Snapshot

The retired Roland patriarch, gruff and cheerfully oblivious, more interested in fishing and his boat than in the tensions simmering between his two sons.

## Who they are

Old Roland is a former shopkeeper turned leisurely fisherman, blunt, a little ridiculous, and largely content to let his wife manage the household and his sons manage themselves. His cheerful insensitivity — he jokes where others brood — makes him both comic relief and a kind of moral blind spot in the family drama. His refusal to see what is happening under his own roof leaves the brothers to fight their battle without a referee.

## Relationships

### [Pierre Roland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/pierre_roland)

_family_

Father and son, but Old Roland is often dismissive and prefers Jean, deepening Pierre's bitterness.

### [Jean Roland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/jean_roland)

_family_

Father and favored son, with a comfortable and affectionate relationship.

### [Jean Roland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/jean_roland)

_family_

Father and favored son, with a comfortable and affectionate relationship.

### [Pierre Roland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/pierre_roland)

_family_

Father and son, but Old Roland is often dismissive and prefers Jean, deepening Pierre's bitterness.

### [Jean Roland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/jean_roland)

_family_

Father and favored son, with a comfortable and affectionate relationship.

## In the story

### [Pierre and Jean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/chapters/pierre-and-jean)

Depicted as a jovial and somewhat boastful father, proud of his sons.

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

The father, a former jeweler, is delighted by the inheritance and dismisses his wife's concerns about fairness.

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

Advocates for a leisurely life with wealth; brings home Captain Beausire and Mme. Rosémilly to celebrate.

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

Old Roland recalls Maréchal's kindness during Pierre's childhood illness, unwittingly providing Pierre with more material for his suspicions.

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

Old Roland is oblivious to the underlying tension, reminiscing fondly about Maréchal and focusing on his own comfort and the inheritance.

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

Bewildered by the family tension, he questions Pierre's gloom and worries about his wife's health.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/chapters/vii)

Mentioned as snoring in bed while the events unfold.

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

Present at dinner, unaware of the underlying tensions. He discusses the Lorraine with Jean and expresses interest in touring the ship.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/chapters/ix)

Claps hands in joy at Pierre's appointment; suggests watching the Lorraine from the Pearl; approves Jean's engagement.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters/old_roland
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pierre_and_jean_se/characters