Character guide

Oscar Husson

major

Also known as Husson, dear Oscar, poor Oscar, young Husson, little Husson, the deceased Husson, little Oscar Husson

A young man whose journey from Paris to Presles drives the story, facing humiliations and growth.

Pierrotin

supporting

Also known as Monsieur Pierrotin, Consequently Pierrotin, Monsieur de Pierrotin, Poor Pierrotin

The coach driver who transports passengers and observes their interactions with shrewd humor.

Georges Marest

supporting

Also known as Georges, Whereupon Georges, This Georges, That scoundrel Georges Marest

A boastful and unscrupulous young man who travels with Oscar and causes trouble.

Monsieur Moreau

supporting

Also known as Moreau, the elder Moreau, The younger Moreau, Citizen Moreau

A landowner and father figure to Oscar, hosting the party at Presles.

Madame Clapart

supporting

Also known as the Madame Clapart, Madame, Clapart, That idiot Clapart

Oscar's mother, anxious about his future and his behavior on the trip.

Madame Moreau

minor

Also known as Moreau, little Moreau

The wife of Monsieur Moreau, a gracious hostess at Presles.

Comte de Sérizy

supporting

Also known as Monsieur le Comte, Monsieur de Sérizy, de Sérizy, Monsieur le Comte de Sérizy, Monseigneur, Monseigneur the Comte de Sérizy

A nobleman and influential figure who appears as a passenger and patron.

Mistigris

supporting

Also known as the ruthless Mistigris, the merciless Mistigris, Monsieur Mistigris

A witty and mischievous young artist traveling with his master.

Cardot

supporting

Also known as Uncle Cardot, old Cardot, Old Cardot, uncle Cardot, Monsieur Jean Jérôme Séverin Cardot, Monsieur Cardot, Père Cardot

An elderly uncle of Oscar, a retired merchant with a sharp tongue.

Godeschal

minor

Also known as Monsieur Godeschal, the merciless Godeschal, the worthy Godeschal, Claude Marie Godeschal

A lawyer and friend of the Moreau family, traveling to Presles.

Desroches

minor

Also known as Maître Desroches, Monsieur Desroches

A lawyer involved in legal matters concerning the characters.

Old Léger

minor

Also known as Léger, Père Léger, Old Père Léger, Monsieur Léger, Farmer Léger

A farmer and neighbor who interacts with the travelers.

Florentine

minor

Also known as Mademoiselle Agathe Florentine Cabirolle, Mademoiselle Cabirolle

A young actress and mistress of a wealthy man, traveling incognito.

Schinner

minor

Also known as Monsieur Schinner, the false Schinner, the sham Schinner, the Great Schinner

A painter and friend of Mistigris, traveling to the countryside.

Madame Schinner

minor

Also known as the real Schinner

The mother of the painter Schinner, a respected figure.

Joseph Bridau

minor

Also known as Bridau, Joseph

A young painter and friend of the artistic circle in the story.

Monsieur Margueron

minor

Also known as the younger Margueron, Margueron, old Margueron

A doctor who attends to the travelers and locals.

Monsieur Clapart

minor

Oscar's stepfather, a weak and ineffectual man.

Estelle

minor

A beautiful woman who captivates some of the male characters.

Mariette

minor

Also known as Mademoiselle Mariette, Godeschal Mariette

A dancer and the sister of Godeschal, involved in the arts.

de Reybert

minor

Also known as Monsieur de Reybert, Reybert, Monsieur Reybert, old Reybert, Papa Reybert

A former military man and friend of the Moreau family.

Madame de Reybert

minor

Also known as de Reybert, Madame Reybert

The wife of de Reybert, a kind and hospitable woman.

Frédéric Marest

minor

Also known as Frédéric

Georges Marest's brother, a military officer.

Madame Camusot

minor

Also known as Camusot

A magistrate's wife, part of the social circle.

Derville

minor

Also known as Maître Derville

A famous lawyer mentioned in connection with legal affairs.

Coralie

minor

Also known as poor Coralie

A deceased actress, mourned by her lover Camusot.

Madame Husson

minor

Oscar's grandmother, who raised him for a time.

Madame de Sérizy

minor

Also known as the Comtesse de Sérizy

The wife of the Comte de Sérizy, a noblewoman.

Zéna

minor

A young woman at Presles, possibly a servant or relative.

Léon de Lora

minor

Also known as Monsieur Léon de Lora, Léon

A young artist and friend of Mistigris and Schinner.

Rougeot

minor

A local farmer or servant at Presles.

Fanny Beaupré

minor

Also known as pretty Fanny Beaupré

A pretty young woman, possibly an actress or courtesan.

Monsieur Grindot

minor

Also known as Grindot

An architect involved in building projects.

Monsieur Husson

minor

Oscar's deceased father, mentioned in backstory.

Poiret

minor

A minor clerk or bureaucrat, part of the background.

Nathan

minor

A writer or journalist, part of the literary world.

Amaury

minor

A young man, possibly a friend of Oscar's.

Jacques Moreau

minor

Also known as Jacques

The son of Monsieur Moreau, a young man.

Gaudet

minor

A notary or legal clerk in the story.

Maître Hannequin

minor

Also known as Hannequin, Maître Léopold Hannequin

A notary involved in legal transactions.

Florine

minor

An actress and mistress of a wealthy man.

Giroudeau

minor

Also known as General Giroudeau

A retired military officer, part of the social circle.

Alexandre Crottat

minor

Also known as Crottat, Maître Alexandre Crottat

A notary who handles legal matters for the characters.

Camusot

minor

Also known as Monsieur Camusot

A magistrate, husband of Madame Camusot.

Madame Cardot

minor

Also known as the late Madame Cardot

The deceased wife of Cardot, mentioned in passing.

Bordin

minor

Also known as Master Jerosme-Sebastien Bordin, Master Bordin

A master of arts or crafts, possibly a painter.

Vandenesse

minor

Also known as Félix de Vandenesse

A nobleman mentioned in the social context.

Bellejambe

minor

Also known as Monsieur Bellejambe

A minor character, possibly a servant or innkeeper.