# In Search of Lost Time — Character guide

> Key figures in In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust.

- [Marcel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/narrator.md): The narrator and protagonist, a sensitive young man obsessed with memory, love, and art.
- [Albertine Simonet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/albertine.md): A captivating young woman who becomes the narrator's obsessive love interest and captive.
- [Charles Swann](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/swann.md): A refined art connoisseur and friend of the narrator's family, whose love affair precedes the main narrative.
- [Odette de Crécy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/odette.md): A beautiful courtesan who marries Swann and later becomes a prominent society hostess.
- [Baron de Charlus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/baron_de_charlus.md): An aristocratic, flamboyant, and complex figure with hidden desires and a sharp wit.
- [Robert de Saint-Loup](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/robert_de_saint_loup.md): The narrator's close friend, a dashing young aristocrat and military officer.
- [Gilberte Swann](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/gilberte.md): Swann and Odette's daughter, the narrator's first childhood crush and later acquaintance.
- [Madame Verdurin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/madame_verdurin.md): The domineering and snobbish patroness of a fashionable artistic salon.
- [Françoise](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/franoise.md): The narrator's loyal, superstitious, and opinionated family cook and housekeeper.
- [Charles Morel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/charles_morel.md): A talented but manipulative violinist, protégé of the Baron de Charlus.
- [Duchesse de Guermantes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/madame_de_guermantes.md): A brilliant and beautiful aristocrat, the object of the narrator's social ambition.
- [Marcel's Mother](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/marcel_mother.md): The narrator's loving and gentle mother, a central figure of his childhood.
- [Marcel's Grandmother](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/marcel_grandmother.md): The narrator's wise and affectionate grandmother, who adores him deeply.
- [Bloch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/block.md): The narrator's schoolfriend, a pretentious and intellectual Jewish boy.
- [Bergotte](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/bergotte.md): A celebrated writer whose style the narrator deeply admires and analyzes.
- [Elstir](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/elstir.md): A great impressionist painter who befriends the narrator at Balbec.
- [Vinteuil](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/vinteuil.md): A reclusive composer whose posthumously discovered sonata becomes a leitmotif.
- [Andrée](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/andree.md): A friend of Albertine and member of the 'little band' of girls at Balbec.
- [Marquise de Villeparisis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/madame_de_villeparisis.md): An elderly, cultured aristocrat and aunt of the Duc de Guermantes.
- [Marquis de Norpois](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_norpois.md): A retired diplomat and friend of the narrator's father, a pompous figure.
- [Jupien](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_charlus_servant.md): A tailor and later the narrator's neighbor, who has a secret relationship with Charlus.
- [Legrandin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/leggrandin.md): A snobbish engineer and aspiring writer, uncle of the Cambremer family.
- [Marquis de Cambremer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_cambremer.md): A provincial aristocrat and neighbor of the narrator's family in Combray.
- [Marquise de Cambremer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/madame_de_cambremer.md): The snobbish wife of the Marquis de Cambremer, born Legrandin.
- [Duc de Guermantes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes.md): The husband of Oriane, a proud and traditional aristocrat.
- [Princesse de Guermantes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/princesse_de_guermantes.md): A more exclusive and mysterious member of the Guermantes family.
- [M. de Vaugoubert](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_vaugoubert.md): A diplomat and closeted homosexual, an acquaintance of Charlus.
- [Saniette](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/saniette.md): A timid, impoverished archivist and frequent target of the Verdurins' mockery.
- [Doctor Cottard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/cattard.md): A pedantic but successful doctor, a loyal member of the Verdurin salon.
- [Madame Cottard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/madame_cottard.md): The doctor's kind but somewhat simple wife, also in the Verdurin circle.
- [Berma](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/berma.md): A famous tragic actress, admired by the narrator.
- [Rachel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/rachel.md): A former prostitute who becomes Saint-Loup's mistress and a mediocre actress.
- [M. de Bréauté](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_breaute.md): A witty and learned aristocrat, a fixture in Faubourg Saint-Germain society.
- [Princesse de Parme](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/princesse_de_parme.md): A kindly, high-ranking royal figure who hosts grand social events.
- [Comte de Forcheville](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_forecheville.md): Odette's second husband, a social climber and anti-Semite.
- [Mme. de Marsantes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_marsantes.md): Saint-Loup's mother, a kind and elegant Guermantes relation.
- [Mme. de Saint-Euverte](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_saint_euverte.md): A society hostess who gives a famous party attended by Swann.
- [Eulalie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/eulalie.md): A pious old woman who visits the narrator's aunt Léonie in Combray.
- [Aunt Léonie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/aunt_leonie.md): The narrator's hypochondriac aunt who lives in Combray.
- [M. Nissim Bernard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_nissim_bernard.md): An elderly Jewish uncle of Bloch, a regular at the Balbec hotel.
- [Ski](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/ski.md): A sculptor and member of the Verdurin circle, known for his eccentricity.
- [Mme. de Stermaria](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_stermaria.md): A beautiful, aloof Breton woman the narrator briefly courts.
- [Mme. de Surgis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_surgis.md): A mistress of the Duc de Guermantes, mother of two sons.
- [Princesse de Gallardon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_gallardon.md): A snobbish Guermantes relation who feels slighted by Oriane.
- [Mme. Sazerat](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_sazerat.md): A neighbor in Combray, known for her modest social standing.
- [M. de Vauvenargues](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_vauvenargues.md): A friend of the narrator's grandfather, mentioned in Combray.
- [Mme. de Guermantes-Bavière](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_baviere.md): A German-born relative of the Guermantes family.
- [Duc de Châtellerault](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_chatellerault.md): A young, handsome aristocrat and friend of Saint-Loup.
- [General de Froberville](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_froberville.md): A military man and guest at Guermantes social functions.
- [Mme. de Vaugoubert](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_vaugoubert_wife.md): The wife of the diplomat Vaugoubert, aware of her husband's nature.
- [Prince de Guermantes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_prince.md): The head of the Guermantes family, a devout Catholic and anti-Dreyfusard.
- [Princesse de Guermantes (Marie-Gilbert)](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_princess.md): The wife of Prince de Guermantes, a beautiful and pious woman.
- [Princesse de Luxembourg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_luxembourg.md): A royal figure who befriends the narrator's grandmother at Balbec.
- [Mlle. de Stermaria](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_steraria_daughter.md): The daughter of Mme. de Stermaria, a potential love interest.
- [Duchesse de Guermantes (Oriane)](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duchesse.md): The brilliant and witty wife of the Duc de Guermantes.
- [Duc de Guermantes (Basin)](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duc.md): The proud and traditional husband of Oriane de Guermantes.
- [Baron de Guermantes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_baron.md): A lesser-known member of the Guermantes family.
- [Vicomtesse de Guermantes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_vicomtesse.md): A relative of the Guermantes, known for her piety.
- [Marquise de Guermantes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_marquise.md): An elderly member of the Guermantes family.
- [Princesse des Laumes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_princesse_des_laumes.md): The earlier title of Oriane de Guermantes before her marriage.
- [Prince des Laumes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_prince_des_laumes.md): The earlier title of Basin de Guermantes.
- [Duchesse de Mortemart](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duchesse_de_mortemart.md): An elderly Guermantes duchess, mother of the current duke.
- [Duchesse de Guise](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duchesse_de_guise.md): A royal duchess related to the Guermantes.
- [Duchesse de Montmorency](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duchesse_de_montmorency.md): A duchess related to the Guermantes by marriage.
- [Duchesse de Doudeauville](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duchesse_de_doudeauville.md): A duchess who appears in the Guermantes social circle.
- [Duchesse de Praslin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duchesse_de_praslin.md): A duchess mentioned in the Guermantes salon.
- [Duchesse de Vendôme](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duchesse_de_vendome.md): A royal duchess who appears in the Guermantes circle.
- [Duc d'Aumale](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duchesse_d_aumale.md): A royal duke mentioned in the Guermantes context.
- [Duc de Chartres](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duc_de_chartres.md): A royal duke who appears in the Guermantes circle.
- [Duc de Broglie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duc_de_broglie.md): A duke mentioned in the Guermantes social world.
- [Duc de La Rochefoucauld](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duc_de_la_rochefoucauld.md): A duke who appears in the Guermantes salon.
- [Duc de Luxembourg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duc_de_luxembourg.md): A duke who appears in the Guermantes circle.
- [Duc de Guastalla](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duc_de_guastalla.md): A duke mentioned in the Guermantes context.
- [Duc de Brabant](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duc_de_brabant.md): A royal duke mentioned in the Guermantes circle.
- [Duc d'Orléans](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duc_d_orleans.md): A royal duke mentioned in the Guermantes context.
- [Duc de Montmorency](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duc_de_montmorency.md): A duke mentioned in the Guermantes social world.
- [Duc de Bouillon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duc_de_bouillon.md): A duke mentioned in the Guermantes circle.
- [Duc de Chevreuse](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duc_de_chevreuse.md): A duke mentioned in the Guermantes context.
- [Duc de Luynes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duc_de_luynes.md): A duke mentioned in the Guermantes social world.
- [Duc d'Uzès](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/characters/m_de_guermantes_duc_d_uzes.md): A duke mentioned in the Guermantes circle.

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