Characters Gordon's Game Paul Howard

Peter: The Steady Friend in Gordon’s Game

Overview

Peter is Gordon D’Arcy’s most reliable and academically-minded friend in Gordon’s Game. While Gordon’s world revolves around rugby and Conor supplies the chaotic humour, Peter provides stability, patience, and practical help. He works alongside Gordon and Conor at McWonderburger during the summer, shares a dormitory at Clongowes Wood College, and becomes Gordon’s lifeline when schoolwork threatens his rugby career. Peter is not a rugby star—his strength lies in his steady character, love of learning, and unwavering loyalty. The story shows him as the dependable figure who helps Gordon find balance between sport and study, often putting his friends’ needs before his own.

Plot Role

Peter appears early in the novel as part of the trio working at the fast‑food restaurant. There he joins in the imaginative games—tackling a sack of potatoes as Ma’a Nonu and trying to kick rotten potatoes into a compost bin—that make the boring job bearable (chapter 3). His role deepens when Conor’s reckless jump across the Gollymochy ends in a broken leg. Peter is the one who runs to fetch Principal Cuffe for help (chapter 16). Later, when Gordon’s exam results are so poor that he faces a rugby ban unless he passes his Easter exams, Peter steps in as Gordon’s tutor. He sits with Gordon for hours, patiently repeating material and encouraging him to treat study like rugby practice (chapter 35). Finally, Peter and Conor travel to Cardiff to support Gordon during the European Cup final, a gesture that seals their friendship (chapter 48).

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Peter is motivated by a genuine desire to help his friends succeed. He values education intrinsically—he rereads the water cycle chapter for pleasure after evening study (chapter 22). When Gordon admits “I need help” (chapter 34), Peter immediately responds by organising a study plan. His patience is tested because Gordon struggles to retain information, yet Peter never gives up. He compares learning a skill to rugby practice: “the end result is the same – we are all capable of learning the skill. It’s just that some of us will have to work on it harder and longer than others” (chapter 35).

Peter also shows courage and quick thinking during the Gollymochy crisis. Without hesitating, he jumps into the river and then runs through the dark to find help. This action reveals that his bookish exterior hides a brave core. He is also perceptive—he notices Conor acting secretive with older boys and worries that Conor might be mixed up in something dangerous (chapter 22). His caution balances Conor’s impulsiveness.

Chronological Arc

Peter’s arc is one of gradual but quiet growth. He begins as a passive member of the trio, following Conor’s leads at McWonderburger. The Gollymochy incident forces him to take initiative, and his role as a rescuer marks a turning point. When Gordon’s academic troubles escalate, Peter becomes an active mentor, helping Gordon stay in rugby. His biggest moment comes when he and Conor choose to support Leinster over their traditional Munster allegiance, declaring that they will travel to Cardiff for the final (chapter 48). This decision shows that Peter’s loyalty to his friend has grown stronger than old loyalties. He does not seek the spotlight—at the end of the novel, he is still too young for university (chapter 54)—but his steady presence has been essential to Gordon’s journey.

Relationships

Peter’s relationship with Gordon is the most fully developed. He respects Gordon’s rugby talent but never lets Gordon forget the importance of school. He is not afraid to tell Gordon hard truths, as when he confronts him about his missing homework. Their bond deepens through the tutoring sessions, and Gordon openly acknowledges that he could not have succeeded without Peter. The friendship with Conor is more playful; Peter tolerates Conor’s pranks and sometimes worries about his recklessness. The three friends form a unit that works together through work, school, and crisis. Peter also interacts with Aoife Kehoe at Conor’s play, sharing a laugh at the absurd McWonderburger re‑enactment (chapter 47). He respects her determination but does not become personally involved in her campaign for gender equality in rugby.

Key Decisions and Consequences

  • Deciding to run for help after Conor’s accident – His speed and presence of mind ensure Conor gets medical attention quickly. This decision makes him a hero in a quiet way and reinforces his reliability.
  • Tutoring Gordon every day for ten weeks – This immense commitment directly leads to Gordon passing his exams. Without Peter’s patience and methodical approach, Gordon would have been banned from rugby and missed the European Cup final.
  • Choosing to support Gordon over Munster – By abandoning their fathers’ Munster allegiances and travelling to Cardiff, Peter and Conor demonstrate that friendship matters more than provincial rivalry. Their support gives Gordon a psychological boost before the final.

Theme and Symbol Connections

Peter embodies the theme of balancing academics and athletics, as explored in detail on the balancing academics and athletics page. He is the living reminder that discipline in the classroom is as important as discipline on the pitch. Through Peter, the novel argues that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness—a key message in the resilience theme (see resilience page). Peter also represents teamwork in its purest form: he works behind the scenes without seeking glory. During the final, he is in the stands, not on the field, yet his contribution is vital. Symbolically, Peter can be seen as the “textbook” friend—the one who brings notes, patience, and a steady hand when chaos threatens to overwhelm Gordon’s life. His name itself (a common, unassuming name) underscores his everyman quality; he is the sort of loyal friend any reader could recognise.

5 Book‑Specific Questions and Answers

1. Why does Peter volunteer to tutor Gordon?
Gordon tells Peter “I need help” after receiving a final warning from Mr Cuffe (chapter 34). Peter immediately takes charge, believing that Gordon is not stupid but just learns in a different way.

2. What subject does Peter insist they start with, and why?
Peter starts with Geography because Gordon hates it the most. His reasoning is that tackling the worst subject first will make the others seem easier (chapter 35).

3. How does Peter respond when Conor decides to jump the Gollymochy?
Peter jumps into the river to help Conor and then runs to fetch Mr Cuffe while Gordon stays with the injured boy (chapter 16).

4. Does Peter ever get to play a role in Conor’s play?
Yes. Conor’s play features characters based on Peter and Gordon as bumbling McWonderburger employees. Peter’s character is the one who recites the entire menu and later chases the robber with a giant inflatable cow (chapter 47).

5. What does Peter do after Gordon learns he passed his exams?
He tells Gordon that he and his father are travelling to Cardiff for the final, declaring that they are no longer Munster fans (chapter 48). He makes good on that promise by attending the match and celebrating the victory.

Conclusion

Peter may not score tries or wear the Leinster jersey, but his influence on the story is immense. He represents the quiet power of friendship grounded in action rather than words. Through his tutoring, he saves Gordon’s rugby season; through his loyalty, he gives Gordon the confidence to succeed. In a novel full of tackles, tries, and team culture, Peter is the unsung hero who shows that being a good friend often means doing the unglamorous work—sitting beside someone and helping them study.