Character assessment: Richard -- Ladies of Lallybroch Literary Forum

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Date Posted: 09:44:13 09/28/10 Tue
Author: Fi
Subject: Character assessment: Richard
In reply to: debikm 's message, "Late homework, but homework it is!" on 11:02:55 09/23/10 Thu

Great exercise! It's clarified a lot about Richard in my head. Even I didn't realise he was claustrophobic until I thought about the times in his life when he was really scared.

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1. Name: Richard Joyce (his surname used to be Mahon after his stepfather, but he changed it to Joyce after his biological father).

2. Character's nickname: His youngest sister calls him "Rish".

3. Sex: Male

4. Age: 22 (in 1675, the point in the narrative I'm thinking about)

5. Looks:
Dark hair (which he wears long and tied back), blue eyes, fair complexion. Tall for a man of his era.

6. Education:
Tutored by Father Daly from age 10 to 15. He can speak Irish, English, Latin, Spanish, and some French.

7. Vocation/occupation
Currently works as a clerk for his father but hopes to take over the family business one day.

8. Status and money
Status is uncertain, given his illegitimacy and the times he lives in. His mother's family are fishing people, whose livelihood depends on the unpredictable sea. His father's family are merchants; they were once very rich, but lost a lot of property in the war of the 1650s, and are now struggling in the shaky political climate of the 1670s.

9. Marital status: single

10. Family, ethnicity:
The illegitimate son of a fisherwoman and a merchant. Two half-sisters on his mother's side and one half-sister on his father's. Plus several siblings who died in childhood.

11.Diction/accents
Western Irish accent. Can switch easily between the educated and uneducated versions.

12. Relationships
The love of his life is Rose Marshall, a family friend. His two closest friends are Tom Blake (a gentleman's son and Rose's cousin) and his own cousin Tom Flaherty.

13. Places (home, office, car, etc)
Lives at his father's house in Galway most of the time.

14. Possessions
Spanish smallsword that he won in a card game. Gold ring that he inherited from his paternal grandmother. Tin medal of Saint Christopher that he got from his mother.

15. Recreation/hobbies
He's quite the gambler and especially loves playing cards. He also likes horseriding when he feels the need for speed (the closest a man of his era can get to a fast car).

16. Obsessions
Feels insecure about his illegitimacy and is sensitive to other people's opinions about it. Any perceived insult against his mother touches off his buttons.

17. Beliefs
People need to earn your trust, but once they have done so, you should be completely loyal. Honour is more important than possessions. He believes in God, but often questions what He thinks He's up to.

18. Politics
He tries to avoid it, although it's not always possible.

19. Sexual history
Had some seriously heavy petting with Bridget, his stepmother's maid, until they were caught and she was dismissed. Lost his virginity to Ellen, an older married woman whose husband was at sea. Has slept with Rose. Mostly though he's just a big flirt with the ladies. Like most men of his era, he likes his women with a bit of meat on their bones.

20. Ambitions
Grew up in a port town and has always wanted to see the world. Conflictingly, he also wants to settle down with his true love, Rose.

21. Religion
Practising Catholic, although not always a good one.

22. Superstitions
He lives in a superstitious time and his mother's people are fishing folk, so he's inherited a lot of them! It's bad luck to sail if you see a red-haired woman or a fox on the way to the boat. When you sell something, return a "luck penny" to the buyer. Never give a light from your pipe on a Monday. If someone dies in bed (or straw for a poor person), you must burn the bedding.

23. Fears
Mild claustrophobia. He hates being penned in; the worst part of sea travel is being stuck below deck in bad weather.

24. Attitudes
Fairly typical for a man of his era. He appreciates wit and intelligence in a woman, but he also sees females as weak and by no means equals. He's excited about going to the West Indies and blas� about the manual labour being, umm, imported from Africa on a non-voluntary basis. Beating your wife or servant is acceptable and in some cases expected. Public hanging is a fun day out for all the family.

25. Character flaws
Like many young men, he's impulsive. Doesn't lose his temper often, but when he does you'd better stand back. Can be thoughtless and self-centered.

26. Character strengths
He's basically a kind person, expecially when it comes to people (or animals) he cares about. Intelligent and capable of learning from his mistakes.

27. Pets
Bran, a terrier. Found Bran at the foot of the gallows, where the dog's previous owner was hanging, and saved him from a man who was going to use him for dogfighting.

28. Taste in books, music etc.
He's not much of a reader, except for non-fiction books about sailing or horses. He sings what would nowadays be called traditional Irish songs, but in those days were just called "songs". Also fond of storytelling and drinking (slightly clich�ed for an Irishman, I guess).

29. Journal entries
Doesn't keep a journal.

30. correspondence
When he's away, he writes regularly to Rose and his father. Also writes to his mother, although the priest has to read it to her since she is illiterate (as were most women of her class).

31. Food preferences
Plain food. Meat (or fish) and potatoes.

32. Handwriting
Father Daly made sure he has good handwriting.

33. Astrological sign
Born 7th March 1653, so he's a Pisces.

34. Talents.
Good with numbers. Has an ear for languages. Strong singing voice.

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Replies:

[> [> This really helps fill in the gaps. -- debikm, 14:01:09 09/28/10 Tue

Doing something like this awhile back led to a very funny scene after I realized Valerie was afraid of snakes. I love the glimpse into other characters' heads.

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[> [> [> Awesome...>>> -- Page2, 22:20:38 09/30/10 Thu

I agree with Page on this. You kept Richard true to the character of the times. He's very interesting. Awesome job.

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[> [> I love this! >>> --

Page, 16:11:54 09/30/10 Thu

Bless you a thousand times for keeping Richard true to what a man of his era would be! Nothing irritates me more than reading a story set in the 17th or 18th century and having the characters' attitudes read like a manual for 21st century political correctness.

You have certainly done your research on this era, and it shows. I love the superstitions Richard has, most of which I'd not heard of before.

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