Richard Semco
Therese’s boyfriend, who assumes that affection, travel plans, and time will lead naturally to marriage.
To keep Therese and turn their existing relationship into the marriage and European future he already imagines for them.
The book
At a glance
- Therese’s boyfriend at the beginning
- A future and travel with Therese
- Cannot accept her attachment to Carol
Who they are in the book
Spoiler-freeRichard is earnest and attached to Therese, but he interprets her uncertainty as hesitation that can be overcome. He does not understand that the future he imagines has never felt fully alive to her.
His frustration helps reveal the limits of Therese’s early passivity: she delays telling him clearly what she no longer wants, even after her attention has shifted to Carol.
How the book draws them
- Earnest young manHe is conventional without looking dull.
- Casual early-1950s jacketHis clothes reflect a young New Yorker.
- Direct expressionHe expects understandable answers.
- Frustrated warmthAffection and entitlement coexist.
- Close engraved bustNo camera or travel props appear.
- Muted green accentThe color gives him a separate visual identity.
Therese leaves Richard emotionally and practically. His expected future with her ends as she becomes more direct about loving Carol.
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