# Bel Ami — Character guide

> Key figures in Bel Ami by Guy de Maupassant.

- [George Duroy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/george_duroy.md): Ambitious former soldier who rises through Parisian society using charm and manipulation.
- [Madeleine Forestier](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/madeleine_forestier.md): Clever and influential woman who helps Duroy's career; becomes his wife.
- [Madame Walter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/madame_walter.md): Wife of the newspaper owner; becomes infatuated with Duroy.
- [Clotilde de Marelle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/clotilde_de_marelle.md): Duroy's mistress; independent and passionate woman.
- [Charles Forestier](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/charles_forestier.md): Duroy's friend and colleague who dies early in the story.
- [Jacques Rival](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/jacques_rival.md): Journalist and friend of Duroy; a man about town.
- [Norbert de Varenne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/norbert_de_varenne.md): Older poet and columnist at the newspaper.
- [Suzanne Walter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/suzanne_walter.md): Younger daughter of the Walters; Duroy's eventual bride.
- [Laurine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/laurine.md): Daughter of Clotilde de Marelle; fond of Duroy.
- [Laroche-Mathieu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/laroche_mathieu.md): Politician and minister involved in the Morocco affair.
- [Count de Vaudrec](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/count_de_vaudrec.md): Wealthy old friend of the Forestiers; leaves inheritance to Madeleine.
- [Monsieur Walter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/monsieur_walter.md): Owner of La Vie Française; becomes wealthy through colonial ventures.
- [Saint-Potin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/saint_potin.md): Journalist colleague of Duroy at the newspaper.
- [Rachel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/rachel.md): Prostitute Duroy visits; later encounters her at a party.
- [Mother Duroy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/madame_duroy_mother.md): Duroy's aging mother living in the countryside.
- [Monsieur de Marelle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/de_marelle.md): Husband of Clotilde; often absent on business.
- [Viscountess de Percemur](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/viscountess_de_percemur.md): Aristocratic woman who appears at the Walters' salon.
- [Montelin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/montelin.md): Acquaintance of Duroy mentioned in social circles.
- [Marrot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/marrot.md): Minor character in Duroy's social circle.
- [Louis Langremont](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/louis_langremont.md): Minor character mentioned in political circles.
- [Madame Aubert](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/madame_aubert.md): Minor character in Duroy's social world.
- [Monsieur Potel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/potel.md): Minor character in Duroy's social circle.
- [The Priest](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/the_priest.md): Priest who appears at various ceremonies.
- [The Doctor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters/the_doctor.md): Doctor attending to characters in the story.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/characters