Character guide

Emma Bovary

major

Also known as Mademoiselle Emma, Mademoiselle d’Andervilliers, Madame Bovary junior

The protagonist, a romantic and dissatisfied woman whose desires lead her into debt and affairs.

Charles Bovary

major

Also known as Monsieur Charles Denis Bartolome Bovary, Monsieur Bovary, Madame Charles

Emma's well-meaning but dull husband, a country doctor.

Rodolphe Boulanger

major

Also known as Monsieur Rodolphe Boulanger of La Huchette, Monsieur Boulanger

A wealthy landowner who becomes Emma's first lover.

Léon Dupuis

major

Also known as Monsieur Léon, Monsieur Léon Dupuis

A law clerk in Yonville who shares Emma's romantic tastes and later becomes her lover.

Monsieur Homais

supporting

Also known as Homais

The pompous, progressive pharmacist of Yonville and the Bovarys' neighbor.

Monsieur Lheureux

supporting

Also known as Lheureux

A cunning merchant and moneylender who ensnares Emma in debt.

Justin

minor

Also known as little Justin

The Homais' young, infatuated assistant who works in the pharmacy.

Père Rouault

supporting

Also known as Old Rouault, Monsieur Rouault, Theodore Rouault

Emma's father, a farmer at Les Bertaux.

Monsieur Binet

minor

Also known as Binet

The tax collector in Yonville, known for his lathe work.

Madame Homais

minor

The pharmacist's wife and mother of their children.

Hippolyte Tautain

minor

Also known as Hippolyte

The clubfooted stable boy at the inn on whom Charles operates.

Berthe Bovary

minor

Also known as little Berthe

The young daughter of Charles and Emma.

Félicité

minor

The Bovarys' maid in Yonville.

Hivert

minor

The coachman who drives the Hirondelle between Rouen and Yonville.

Lagardy

minor

Also known as Edgar - Lagardy

A famous opera singer Emma admires during a performance in Rouen.

Madame Lefrançois

minor

Also known as Widow Lefrançois, Mère Lefrançois

The innkeeper of the Lion d'Or in Yonville.

Monsieur Bournisien

minor

Also known as Bournisien

The parish priest of Yonville, often at odds with Homais.

Doctor Larivière

minor

A renowned, skilled doctor from Rouen consulted in critical cases.

Madame Tuvache

minor

The wife of the mayor of Yonville.

Monsieur Canivet

minor

Also known as Canivet, Dr. Canivet

A surgeon from Neufchâtel called in for consultations.

Lestiboudois

minor

The sexton and grave-digger in Yonville who also tends the garden.

Monsieur Tuvache

minor

Also known as Tuvache

The mayor of Yonville.

Catherine Leroux

minor

Also known as Catherine Niçaise Elizabeth Leroux

An elderly servant honored for fifty years of service at an agricultural show.

Monsieur Derozerays de la Panville

minor

Also known as Monsieur Derozerays

A prominent farmer who speaks at the agricultural show.

Mère Rollet

minor

A wet-nurse who cares for Berthe Bovary.

Monsieur Guillaumin

minor

A notary in Yonville whom Emma approaches for financial help.

Athalie

minor

One of the Homais children.

Mademoiselle Lempereur

minor

Also known as Mademoiselle Lempereur

A music teacher in Rouen whom Emma falsely claims as her piano instructor.

Maître Hareng

minor

Also known as Hareng

A bailiff who serves legal notices.

Vinçart

minor

Also known as Monsieur Vinçart, Quiet Vinçart

A banker in Rouen associated with Lheureux's financial schemes.

Madame Dubuc

minor

Also known as Dubuc

Charles Bovary's first wife, who dies early in the story.

Artémise

minor

The Homais' maid.