# Potch — The Black Opal character guide > Potch in The Black Opal by Katharine Susannah Prichard. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** V Potch, XIII Potch, Dear Potch **First appearance:** 0000-part-i-i ## Who they are A steady, self-effacing miner who loves Sophie with a humility so complete it asks nothing back, even as his father's return threatens the life he has built. ## Relationships ### [Sophie Rouminof](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/sophie_rouminof) _romantic_ Potch is deeply in love with Sophie, but their relationship is fraught with tension and possessiveness. ### [Michael Brady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/michael_brady) _rivalry_ Michael and Potch are fierce rivals, competing for Sophie's affection and clashing over their differing values. ### [Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/paul) _friendship_ Paul and Potch are friends, though their relationship is sometimes strained by Potch's volatile nature. ### [Charley Heathfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/charley_heathfield) _friendship_ Charley Heathfield and Potch are acquaintances, with Charley often mediating tensions involving Potch. ### [Sophie Rouminof](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/sophie_rouminof) _romantic_ Potch is deeply in love with Sophie, but their relationship is fraught with tension and possessiveness. ### [Sophie Rouminof](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/sophie_rouminof) _romantic_ Potch is deeply in love with Sophie, but their relationship is fraught with tension and possessiveness. ### [Michael Brady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/michael_brady) _rivalry_ Michael and Potch are fierce rivals, competing for Sophie's affection and clashing over their differing values. ### [Michael Brady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/michael_brady) _rivalry_ Michael and Potch are fierce rivals, competing for Sophie's affection and clashing over their differing values. ### [Charley Heathfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/charley_heathfield) _friendship_ Charley Heathfield and Potch are acquaintances, with Charley often mediating tensions involving Potch. ### [Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/paul) _friendship_ Paul and Potch are friends, though their relationship is sometimes strained by Potch's volatile nature. ### [Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/paul) _friendship_ Paul and Potch are friends, though their relationship is sometimes strained by Potch's volatile nature. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-i) Milking goats when Sophie tells him of her mother's death; he cries and is present during Paul's opal announcement. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-v) Devastated by his father Charley's abandonment; confronts Charley at the Three Mile and later accepts Michael's offer of mateship. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Begins working as Michael's mate; demonstrates hard work and previously tried to stop his father Charley from fleeing. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Works well as Michael's mate, earns money from the opal find, and observes Michael's satisfaction with Paul. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-ix) Potch is mentioned as working with Michael, not present in the scene. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-xii) Works at the mines with Michael and Rouminof; watches Michael anxiously during his reading bouts. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-xiii) Has matured significantly over the year, now doing man's work as Michael's mate. He is present at the dance and helps protect Sophie when Bully Bryant assaults her. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-xiv) Gives Sophie a knobby opal for her necklace and comes with Michael to see her, staring at her in awe. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-xvi) Anxious and instinctive; discovers Sophie's departure and suspects John Armitage's involvement, but keeps his suspicions from Michael. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-i) Returns to the hut agitated, looking for Snowshoes, and is asked by Maud to help with her goat. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-ii) Drives the decision to join the new rush; works indefatigably; deeply misses Sophie's singing. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-iii) Finds a large opal knobby, remains calm and unexcited, and shows unwavering trust in Michael. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-iv) The finder of the great opal; refuses to sell to Dawe Armitage. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-v) Working in the mine when Michael arrives. He senses something is up but respects Michael's reserve. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-vi) Milks the goats, is deeply moved by Sophie's return, struggles to believe she is real. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-vii) Comforts Sophie, declares his love, and reassures her of the community's affection. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-viii) Spends time with Sophie, cuts wood, walks with her, and evades her questions about Michael and the ratting. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-ix) Mentioned as Sophie's fiancé; Martha defends him as a worthy match and notes that Sophie's absence would be unfair to him. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-x) Proudly accompanies Sophie to the dance, relishing being seen as her partner. Later, he violently confronts Arthur Henty after finding them embracing outside. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-xi) Mentioned in Sophie's thoughts as having prepared sticks for her opal work; referenced in Armitage's bitter question. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-xii) Consumed by shame and grief after attacking Arthur Henty; considers leaving the Ridge but is persuaded by Sophie's proposal of marriage. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii) Potch is anxious about his father Charley's return, fearing it will revive old shame and affect his relationship with Sophie. He confronts Charley in Michael's hut but is dismissed by Michael. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv) Devoted husband to Sophie, content in their marriage, but becomes concerned when Sophie reveals Michael's possible compromise. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-xv) Intervenes in the confrontation, forces Charley to leave, and later listens to Michael's confession, reaffirming his faith. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-xvi) Stands against the wall, watching Michael with faith, and had earlier held his father back. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii) Wanders the plains in anguish searching for Sophie after discovering Arthur Henty's suicide, overwhelmed by a sense of desolation and the elusive nature of his wife. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-xix) Walks bareheaded beside Sophie at the cemetery, places flowers on Arthur's grave, and accompanies her home, symbolizing steadfast support. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/potch - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters