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Second Glance
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"Second Glance" Characters Analysis

"Second Glance" by Jodi Picoult follows a man grappling with loss who becomes involved in a ghostly mystery in a small Vermont town, uncovering hidden secrets about love, family, and the past.

Estimated read time: 10 min read

List of Characters

Character NameRole
Ross WakemanProtagonist
Shelby RichmondProtagonist
Ethan WakemanSupporting Character
Meredith OliverSupporting Character
Lucy St. GermaineSupporting Character
Lenore WakemanSupporting Character
Chief Dexter McCraySupporting Character
Maggie McCraySupporting Character
Zebulon St. GermaineSupporting Character
Miri St. GermaineSupporting Character

Role Identification

  • Ross Wakeman: The protagonist of the story, haunted by the death of his fiancee, Sarah, and searching for a reason to stay alive.
  • Shelby Richmond: A young woman with a troubled past who finds herself at the center of a mysterious occurrence in the town.
  • Ethan Wakeman: Ross's deceased brother, who appears as a ghost and provides guidance.
  • Meredith Oliver: A local historian and genealogist who helps Ross uncover the secrets of the town's past.
  • Lucy St. Germaine: A young girl with a unique ability to communicate with spirits.
  • Lenore Wakeman: Ross's mother, who plays a supportive role in his journey.
  • Chief Dexter McCray: The town's police chief, who gets involved in the investigation of the mysterious events.
  • Maggie McCray: Chief McCray's wife and a key figure in the story's supernatural elements.
  • Zebulon St. Germaine: Lucy's father and a prominent figure in the town's history.
  • Miri St. Germaine: Lucy's deceased twin sister, who appears as a ghost.

Character Descriptions

  • Ross Wakeman: Ross is a middle-aged man with a haunted past. He is described as having a rugged appearance, with unkempt hair and a perpetual sadness in his eyes. He dresses in dark clothing and often keeps to himself.
  • Shelby Richmond: Shelby is a young woman in her early twenties. She has a delicate and fragile appearance, with long, flowing hair and a tendency to wear vintage clothing. Her eyes reflect a deep sadness and vulnerability.
  • Ethan Wakeman: Ethan appears as a ghostly presence throughout the story. He is described as having a strong resemblance to Ross, with a kind and gentle demeanor. He wears clothing from a bygone era.
  • Meredith Oliver: Meredith is an older woman with a scholarly appearance. She wears glasses and has a keen intellect. Her hair is silver and neatly styled. She dresses in professional attire.
  • Lucy St. Germaine: Lucy is a young girl with a mysterious aura. She has long, wavy hair and piercing blue eyes. She often wears vintage-style dresses and carries herself with an air of wisdom beyond her years.
  • Lenore Wakeman: Lenore is a middle-aged woman with a kind and nurturing nature. She has graying hair and a warm smile. She dresses in comfortable clothing and exudes a sense of maternal strength.
  • Chief Dexter McCray: Chief McCray is a middle-aged man with a commanding presence. He has a stocky build and a no-nonsense demeanor. He wears a police uniform and is always ready to protect and serve.
  • Maggie McCray: Maggie is an ethereal woman with an otherworldly beauty. She has long, flowing hair and a serene expression. She dresses in flowing, bohemian-style clothing.
  • Zebulon St. Germaine: Zebulon is an older man with a distinguished appearance. He has a well-groomed beard and piercing eyes. He dresses in tailored suits and carries himself with an air of authority.
  • Miri St. Germaine: Miri is a ghostly presence, appearing as a translucent figure. She has a gentle and ethereal appearance, with a calm and serene expression. She wears a flowing white dress.

Character Traits

  • Ross Wakeman: Determined, haunted, introspective, brave, compassionate.
  • Shelby Richmond: Vulnerable, resilient, introspective, compassionate, haunted.
  • Ethan Wakeman: Wise, caring, supportive, compassionate, ethereal.
  • Meredith Oliver: Intelligent, knowledgeable, inquisitive, helpful, empathetic.
  • Lucy St. Germaine: Mysterious, wise beyond her years, empathetic, perceptive, ethereal.
  • Lenore Wakeman: Nurturing, supportive, loving, understanding, patient.
  • Chief Dexter McCray: Authoritative, protective, diligent, fair, perceptive.
  • Maggie McCray: Serene, ethereal, wise, enigmatic, compassionate.
  • Zebulon St. Germaine: Authoritative, mysterious, influential, charismatic, secretive.
  • Miri St. Germaine: Serene, gentle, ethereal, wise, compassionate.

Character Background

  • Ross Wakeman: After losing his fiancee, Sarah, to a tragic accident, Ross becomes consumed by grief and guilt. He embarks on a journey to study the afterlife and find a reason to stay alive.
  • Shelby Richmond: Shelby has a troubled past, marked by a suicide attempt that left her with physical scars. She struggles with feelings of guilt and unworthiness.
  • Ethan Wakeman: Ethan is Ross's deceased brother, who appears as a ghost and provides guidance and support throughout Ross's journey. He had a close bond with Ross during his lifetime.
  • Meredith Oliver: Meredith is a local historian and genealogist who has a deep knowledge of the town's history and its secrets. She becomes an invaluable resource for Ross in uncovering the truth.
  • Lucy St. Germaine: Lucy is a young girl with a unique ability to communicate with spirits. She is the daughter of Zebulon St. Germaine and plays a crucial role in unraveling the mysteries of the town.
  • Lenore Wakeman: Lenore is Ross's mother and a source of unconditional love and support. She has experienced her own share of loss and understands the pain that Ross carries.
  • Chief Dexter McCray: Chief McCray is the town's police chief, dedicated to maintaining law and order. He becomes involved in investigating the mysterious events surrounding Shelby and the town's history.
  • Maggie McCray: Maggie is Chief McCray's wife and a key figure in the supernatural elements of the story. She holds secrets from the past and plays a pivotal role in guiding Ross and Shelby.
  • Zebulon St. Germaine: Zebulon is Lucy's father and a prominent figure in the town's history. He is a powerful and enigmatic presence, with ties to the supernatural occurrences in the town.
  • Miri St. Germaine: Miri is Lucy's deceased twin sister, who appears as a ghostly presence. She holds important knowledge and helps Ross and Shelby uncover the truth.

Character Arcs

  • Ross Wakeman: Ross begins the story consumed by grief and searching for a reason to live. Through his journey, he confronts his guilt and learns to let go of the past, finding a renewed sense of purpose and hope.
  • Shelby Richmond: Shelby starts as a vulnerable young woman haunted by her past. As she becomes entangled in the town's mysteries, she finds the strength to confront her demons and forge a new path for herself.
  • Ethan Wakeman: As a ghostly presence, Ethan serves as a guide and mentor to Ross. He helps Ross come to terms with his grief and supports him in finding a new lease on life.
  • Meredith Oliver: Meredith's arc involves her transformation from a detached historian to a caring ally and friend to Ross and Shelby. She learns to open up emotionally and becomes invested in helping them uncover the truth.
  • Lucy St. Germaine: Lucy's arc revolves around her growth and acceptance of her unique abilities. She learns to embrace her gift and use it to help others, ultimately becoming a source of strength for Ross and Shelby.
  • Lenore Wakeman: Lenore's arc centers on her journey of supporting Ross through his grief. She learns to balance her own pain with her dedication to her son's well-being, ultimately finding peace and healing.
  • Chief Dexter McCray: Chief McCray's arc involves his transformation from a skeptical investigator to a believer in the supernatural. Through his encounters with Ross and Shelby, he learns to trust his intuition and embrace the inexplicable.
  • Maggie McCray: Maggie's arc revolves around her role as a guide and protector. She helps Ross and Shelby navigate the town's secrets and find closure, ultimately finding her own redemption in the process.
  • Zebulon St. Germaine: Zebulon's arc is characterized by his evolution from a mysterious figure to a vulnerable and remorseful man. He confronts his past mistakes and seeks redemption for the harm he caused.
  • Miri St. Germaine: Miri's arc centers on her role as a conduit of knowledge and healing. She helps Ross and Shelby uncover the truth and find closure, ultimately finding peace in her own existence.

Relationships

  • Ross and Shelby: Ross and Shelby develop a deep connection as they navigate the town's mysteries together. They become each other's pillars of support and find solace in their shared experiences of loss and redemption.
  • Ross and Ethan: Ross's relationship with his deceased brother, Ethan, is characterized by love and guidance. Ethan serves as a mentor and source of wisdom for Ross, helping him find his way through his grief.
  • Ross and Lenore: Ross and his mother, Lenore, share a close bond. Lenore provides unwavering support and understanding, offering a safe space for Ross to heal and grow.
  • Ross and Lucy: Ross forms a special bond with Lucy, who becomes a source of comfort and guidance. Lucy's ability to communicate with spirits helps Ross in his quest for answers.
  • Ross and Meredith: Ross and Meredith's relationship evolves from a professional collaboration to a genuine friendship. Meredith's knowledge and empathy make her a valuable ally for Ross.
  • Shelby and Lucy: Shelby and Lucy share a connection based on their experiences of trauma and loss. Lucy's wisdom and understanding offer Shelby a sense of solace and hope.
  • Ethan and Lucy: Ethan acts as a protector and mentor to Lucy, guiding her in understanding her abilities and helping others. Their relationship is one of trust and support.
  • Chief McCray and Ross: Chief McCray initially approaches Ross with skepticism but eventually becomes an ally, trusting Ross's instincts and intuition.
  • Maggie and Ross: Maggie serves as a guide and source of wisdom for Ross, helping him unravel the town's secrets and find closure.
  • Zebulon and Lucy: Zebulon's relationship with Lucy is complex, marked by a mixture of protectiveness, guilt, and a desire for redemption.
  • Miri and Ross: Miri's relationship with Ross centers on her role as a guide and source of knowledge. She helps Ross uncover the truth and find closure.