Eugénie Grandet · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Eugénie Grandet by Honoré de Balzac.
Félix Grandet
major
Also known as M. Grandet, Grandet, old Grandet, Goodman Grandet, père Grandet, Master Grandet
Miserly, wealthy cooper and patriarch of the Grandet family in Saumur.
Eugénie Grandet
major
Also known as Mlle. Grandet, Mademoiselle Eugénie, Eugénie, Cousin Eugénie, Mademoiselle Grandet
Naive, kind-hearted daughter of Félix Grandet, who falls in love with her cousin Charles.
Charles Grandet
major
Also known as Charles, Cousin Charles, M. Charles, M. Charles Grandet
Eugénie's sophisticated, worldly cousin from Paris who seeks fortune abroad.
Mme. Grandet
supporting
Also known as Mme., Grandet, the Mme, old Grandet
Timid, devout wife of Félix Grandet, dominated by her husband's avarice.
Nanon
supporting
Also known as Big Nanon, Poor Nanon, Nanon
Loyal, strong servant of the Grandet household, devoted to the family.
Mme. des Grassins
supporting
Also known as Mme., Mme. des Grassins, The des Grassins
Ambitious socialite mother of Adolphe, scheming to marry her son to Eugénie.
M. des Grassins
supporting
Also known as des Grassins, Adolphe, M. Adolphe des Grassins, Adolphe des Grassins, Grassins
Wealthy banker and rival suitor for Eugénie's hand, father of Adolphe.
Cruchot de Bonfons
supporting
Also known as M. Cruchot, de Bonfons, Cruchot, M. Cruchot de Bonfons, the notary Cruchot, President de Bonfons, M. le Président de Bonfons
Ambitious notary who becomes Eugénie's husband and later president of the court.
Abbé Cruchot
minor
Also known as the Abbé Cruchot, The Abbé Cruchot, the Abbé, Abbé
Priest and uncle of Cruchot de Bonfons, part of the Cruchot faction.
Guillaume Grandet
minor
Also known as Guillaume, Guillaume Grandet, Victor-Ange-Guillaume Grandet
Charles's father and Félix's brother, a Parisian merchant who commits suicide.
Cornoiller
minor
Also known as old Cornoiller, Mme. Cornoiller, Antoine Cornoiller
Gardener and later husband of Nanon, a simple country man.
Annette
minor
Also known as Dear Annette, dear Annette, the fair Annette
Charles's mistress in Paris, a fashionable woman of the world.
Marquis de Froidfond
minor
Also known as Froidfond, de Froidfond, the Marquis de Froidfond
Aristocratic landowner from whom Grandet buys estates.
M. Bergerin
minor
Also known as M. Bergerin
Business associate of Grandet, involved in financial dealings.
Mme. de Bonfons
minor
Also known as Mme. de Bonfons
Eugénie's title after marriage, though she remains devoted to Charles.
Old M. de la Bertellière
minor
Also known as de la Bertellière, old M. de la Bertellière, Old M. de la Bertellière
Eugénie's maternal grandfather, a wealthy landowner.
Jean
minor
Also known as Jean
Servant or minor worker in the Grandet household.
Alphonse
minor
Also known as Alphonse
Minor acquaintance or suitor mentioned in passing.
Charles X
minor
Also known as Charles X, Charles
King of France during the novel's setting, mentioned in historical context.
Jeremy Bentham
minor
Also known as Jeremy Bentham, Bentham
Philosopher referenced in passing by the narrator.
