# Richard — Short Fiction character guide

> Richard in Short Fiction by George MacDonald.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Master Richard, young Richard

**First appearance:** 0000-a-double-story

## Snapshot

A young man of good intentions and uncertain footing, Richard must grow into the responsibilities that others assume he already carries.

## Who they are

Richard stands at the beginning of adult life in the story's social world, expected to prove himself while still unsure what proving would mean. His central struggle is between the person he wants to be and the easier person his circumstances keep offering to make him. He matters to the early-middle arc because his choices, small as they look, set the moral weather for everything that follows.

## Relationships

### [Ally](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/characters/ally)

_friendship_

Ally and Richard are close companions, likely sharing adventures or mutual support.

### [Ally](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/characters/ally)

_friendship_

Ally and Richard are close companions, likely sharing adventures or mutual support.

### [Ally](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/characters/ally)

_friendship_

Ally and Richard are close companions, likely sharing adventures or mutual support.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/iii)

The protagonist, a poor widow's son who is shy and awkward, ventures out to buy an umbrella for his mother and encounters magical events.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/iv)

Leads Alice through dark paths, carries her across infested waters, confronts the old man, and later defends her from the goblin Toadstool.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/characters/richard
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/characters