"Something Blue" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

Character Descriptions

Darcy Rhone

Darcy is the quintessential beautiful girl who has always gotten her way. She is fashionable, charming, and used to being the center of attention. At the start, Darcy is selfish, superficial, and materialistic, motivated mainly by appearances and validation from others. Her world unravels after her best friend Rachel betrays her, and she is forced to confront her own shortcomings.

Ethan

Ethan is Darcy’s childhood friend, now living in London. He is honest, grounded, and wise—often serving as Darcy’s conscience. Ethan has always seen through Darcy’s superficiality, offering tough love and support when she needs it most. He is integral to Darcy’s transformation.

Rachel White

Rachel is Darcy’s former best friend and the protagonist of "Something Borrowed." She is intelligent, loyal, and moral, but in Darcy’s eyes, she is the betrayer who upends her life. Though Rachel does not appear often in "Something Blue," her influence is felt throughout.

Marcus

Marcus is Darcy’s fiancé at the novel’s start. He is immature, irresponsible, and ultimately unworthy of Darcy’s ideal of love. His relationship with Darcy is shallow and dissolves quickly, forcing Darcy to reevaluate her choices.

Geoffrey

Geoffrey is a charming British man Darcy meets while living in London. He is kind, stable, and represents the possibility of genuine love. Through Geoffrey, Darcy learns what it means to truly care for another person.

Annalise

Annalise is one of Darcy’s friends in New York. She is fun, fashionable, and shares many of Darcy’s old values. Their friendship represents Darcy’s past life.

Meg

Meg is Ethan’s friend in London, who becomes close to Darcy. Unlike Annalise, Meg is practical, caring, and straightforward. She helps Darcy adjust to her new life and symbolizes Darcy’s shift toward authenticity.

Dex

Dex is Rachel’s partner and Darcy’s former fiancé. His affair with Rachel is the catalyst for Darcy’s crisis. He is a minor character in this novel but a significant figure from Darcy’s past.

Character Traits

Character Background

Darcy Rhone

Darcy grew up in Indiana, always admired for her looks and charm. She moved to New York, thriving in its social scene and building a career in public relations. Darcy’s identity is built on external validation, especially in her relationships and friendships. Her engagement to Dex (later Marcus) was part of her picture-perfect life, but her reliance on these trappings leaves her ill-equipped to handle betrayal.

Ethan

Ethan has known Darcy since childhood. He moved to London to pursue writing. Aware of Darcy’s flaws, he maintains a tough-love friendship with her. Ethan’s own life is stable and unpretentious, offering a stark contrast to Darcy’s chaos.

Rachel White

Rachel and Darcy were best friends since childhood. Rachel’s relationship with Dex, Darcy’s fiancé, is the betrayal that ends their friendship. Rachel’s moral compass and loyalty are tested in both novels.

Marcus

Marcus is a friend of Dex’s and eventually becomes Darcy’s fiancé. He is not ready for commitment or fatherhood, and his relationship with Darcy is based on convenience rather than love.

Geoffrey

Geoffrey is a British physician. He meets Darcy during her stay in London. His steady nature and reliability appeal to Darcy as she matures.

Annalise

Annalise shares Darcy’s old social circle in New York. Her life remains rooted in the city’s superficial social scene.

Meg

Meg is a friend of Ethan’s. She is a single mother, practical and down-to-earth. She befriends Darcy, introducing her to a more authentic lifestyle.

Dex

Dex was once engaged to Darcy but fell in love with Rachel. His affair is the catalyst for the events in "Something Blue."

Character Arcs

Darcy Rhone

Darcy’s journey is the heart of "Something Blue." At the beginning, she is self-absorbed and vindictive, seeking validation from others. She flees New York for London, hoping to escape her problems. Through her friendship with Ethan and experiences as a single, pregnant woman, Darcy confronts her flaws. She learns responsibility, humility, and ultimately self-love.

Ethan

Ethan’s arc is subtler but significant. His patience with Darcy is tested, but he persists in helping her grow. Ethan’s honesty and wisdom are critical to Darcy’s transformation. Eventually, his feelings for Darcy evolve, leading to a romantic relationship.

Rachel White

Rachel’s presence in "Something Blue" is limited but impactful. Her decision to pursue Dex with honesty and guilt provides the foundation for Darcy’s crisis and subsequent journey.

Marcus

Marcus’s arc is brief. His inability to commit or offer support to Darcy highlights her need to change. His departure is a turning point for Darcy.

Geoffrey

Geoffrey serves as a love interest, but his main contribution is to show Darcy how far she has come. Their relationship is honest and mature.

Annalise

Annalise remains unchanged, representing the life Darcy leaves behind.

Meg

Meg’s grounded nature and acceptance of Darcy provide a template for real friendship and motherhood.

Dex

Dex does not change significantly in "Something Blue." His role is to remind Darcy of her past and the choices she must overcome.

Relationships

In-Depth Character Analysis

Darcy Rhone

Personality and Motivations

Darcy is initially shallow and materialistic, placing great importance on looks and status. Her decisions are driven by how she will be perceived. As the narrative progresses, life forces her to reevaluate her priorities. Pregnancy and estrangement push her to the brink, compelling her to mature. Darcy’s motivation shifts from external validation to internal fulfillment and responsibility.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Darcy’s ability to adapt helps her survive, but her self-centeredness initially hinders her growth. A major strength is her resilience; despite setbacks, she keeps moving forward.

Key Relationships

Her bond with Ethan is transformative. He challenges her, refusing to enable her old habits. Through their friendship, Darcy learns accountability and self-worth. Her romantic entanglements, particularly with Marcus and later Geoffrey, further highlight her development from immaturity to emotional depth.

Arc Summary

Darcy’s arc is one of redemption. She moves from self-absorption to self-acceptance, learning to love herself and others more genuinely. Motherhood becomes central to her new identity.

Ethan

Personality and Motivations

Ethan is honest, intelligent, and sometimes blunt. He values authenticity and has little patience for superficiality. His motivation is to help Darcy realize her potential, even when it means being harsh.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Ethan’s candor is both a strength and a weakness. He sometimes comes across as harsh, but his support is unwavering.

Key Relationships

Ethan’s relationship with Darcy evolves from friendship to romance. He is a stabilizing force, guiding her through crisis and change.

Arc Summary

Ethan starts as a mentor but becomes Darcy’s equal and partner, showing growth in his willingness to be vulnerable.

Rachel White

Personality and Motivations

Rachel is loyal and introspective but struggles with self-esteem. Her affair with Dex is a result of suppressed longing and moral struggle.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Rachel’s actions instigate the plot but also force Darcy to grow.

Key Relationships

The unresolved tension between Rachel and Darcy drives much of the narrative, even after their friendship ends.

Arc Summary

Rachel’s arc is mostly external in this novel but continues to influence Darcy’s decisions and feelings.

Marcus

Personality and Motivations

Marcus is immature and unreliable, in over his head with Darcy and impending fatherhood.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Marcus’s inability to commit helps Darcy realize her need to change.

Key Relationships

His relationship with Darcy quickly ends, acting as a catalyst for her move to London.

Arc Summary

Marcus’s arc is brief, serving to highlight Darcy’s initial flaws and the necessity for her transformation.

Geoffrey

Personality and Motivations

Geoffrey is kind, reliable, and patient. He is motivated by a desire for a genuine, supportive relationship.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Geoffrey’s relationship with Darcy is mature and signals her growth.

Key Relationships

Darcy’s relationship with Geoffrey is a significant step toward emotional maturity.

Arc Summary

Geoffrey’s arc is intertwined with Darcy’s, demonstrating her readiness for a real partnership.

Annalise

Personality and Motivations

Annalise is fun and lighthearted but remains superficial and gossipy. She embodies Darcy’s old life.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Annalise does not change significantly, serving as a reminder of what Darcy leaves behind.

Meg

Personality and Motivations

Meg is practical, caring, and unpretentious. She is motivated by genuine connection and family.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Meg’s friendship helps Darcy adjust to her new role as a mother.

Dex

Personality and Motivations

Dex is intelligent and charming but lacks decisiveness. His betrayal is pivotal for Darcy’s growth.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Dex’s actions set the plot in motion, but he remains largely in the background.

Character Dynamics and Interactions

Comparative Analysis

Thematic Relevance of Characters

• Darcy: Embodies themes of personal growth, self-acceptance, and redemption.
• Ethan: Symbolizes honesty, stability, and the importance of true friendship.
• Rachel: Represents the consequences of betrayal and the complexity of moral choices.
• Marcus: Illustrates the pitfalls of immaturity and superficial relationships.
• Geoffrey: Stands for hope and genuine affection.
• Annalise: Highlights the emptiness of superficiality.
• Meg: Showcases the value of authenticity and support.

Conclusion

The characters in "Something Blue" are intricately woven into Darcy’s journey from self-absorption to self-acceptance. Each character plays a pivotal role in challenging, supporting, or reflecting Darcy’s transformation. The interplay of relationships, character flaws, and individual growth forms the backbone of the novel’s emotional resonance, offering a rich exploration of friendship, betrayal, and redemption. Through detailed arcs and nuanced dynamics, Emily Giffin crafts a story where character evolution is the true heart of the narrative.