The Celibates · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Celibates by Honoré de Balzac.
Philippe Bridau
major
Also known as Louis Philippe, Captain Philippe, Colonel Philippe, the Colonel, Philippe Bridau, The widow Bridau
Ambitious and unscrupulous soldier who schemes to inherit the family fortune.
Pierrette Lorrain
major
Also known as Pierrette, Lorrain, old Lorrain, pretty little Pierrette, little Pierrette Lorrain
Orphaned young girl sent to live with cruel relatives in Provins.
Sylvie Rogron
major
Also known as Mademoiselle Rogron, old Rogron, Mademoiselle Sylvie Rogron, Sylvie Rogron, Rogron, Rogron junior, Mademoiselle Sylvie
Spinster who mistreats her niece Pierrette with cold cruelty.
Joseph Bridau
major
Also known as Joseph, Bridau, Dear Joseph, Poor Joseph, little Adolphine, old Hochon
Talented painter and the honest, hardworking brother of Philippe.
Agathe Rouget
major
Also known as Agathe, charming Agathe Rouget, Bridau, Agathe Rouget, Rouget, old Rouget, little Bridau, the pious Agathe
Devout mother of Philippe and Joseph, blinded by love for her elder son.
Max Gilet
major
Also known as Maximilian the First, Max, Max Gilet, Gilet
Ruthless former soldier and lover of Flore Brazier, plotting to control the Rouget fortune.
Abbé Birotteau
major
Also known as the Abbé Birotteau, The Abbé Birotteau, Birotteau, the Abbé, Abbé Birotteau, poor Birotteau
Naive and gentle priest who becomes the victim of a domestic conspiracy.
Flore Brazier
major
Also known as Mademoiselle Flore Brazier, Flore Brazier, Flore, Mademoiselle Brazier, the fair Flore, Brazier, uncle Brazier, Dear little Flore
Cunning servant and mistress who schemes to inherit the Rouget estate.
Madame Descoings
supporting
Also known as Descoings, the luckless Descoings, the Descoings, the departed Descoings, Madame, old Madame Descoings
Warm-hearted widow and lottery enthusiast who supports the Bridau family.
Jean-Jacques Rouget
supporting
Also known as Jean - Jacques Rouget, Rouget, Jean - Jacques, Jacques, poor Rouget, Jean, old Rouget
Wealthy but weak-willed bachelor manipulated by his servant Flore.
Jacques Brigaut
supporting
Also known as Brigaut, Jacques Brigaut, Jacques, Poor Brigaut, the terrible Brigaut
Loyal Breton friend of Pierrette who tries to protect her.
Abbé Troubert
supporting
Also known as Abbé, The Abbé Troubert, The Abbé, the Abbé Troubert, Troubert, Abbé Troubert, pole Troubert
Cold, ambitious priest who outmaneuvers Birotteau for power.
Mademoiselle Sophie Gamard
supporting
Also known as Mademoiselle Gamard, Sophie Gamard, the aforenamed Sophie Gamard, the said Sophie Gamard, Sophie, the late Sophie Gamard
Vindictive spinster who torments the Abbé Birotteau.
Monsieur Hochon
supporting
Also known as Hochon, old Hochon, worthy Monsieur Hochon
Wise and miserly old man who observes the intrigues in Provins.
Madame Hochon
supporting
Also known as Madame Hochon, Hochon, good Madame Hochon, old Madame Hochon, Madame, old Hochon
Kindly godmother of Pierrette who tries to shield her.
Maxence Gilet
supporting
Also known as Maxence Gilet, Gilet, Maxence, Monsieur Gilet, Monsieur Maxence, Monsieur Maxence Gilet
Alternate name for Max Gilet, the scheming soldier.
Old Fario
supporting
Also known as Old Fario, Fario, good old Fario, And Fario
Italian merchant who becomes an enemy of Max Gilet.
Bixiou
supporting
Also known as Bixiou, little Bixiou, Comte Bixiou, Thus Bixiou
Witty artist and friend of Joseph Bridau in Paris.
Madame Tiphaine
supporting
Also known as Madame Tiphaine, Tiphaine, Pretty Madame Tiphaine, Mademoiselle de Chargeboeuf, the Tiphaine, the beautiful Mademoiselle de Chargeboeuf, de Chargeboeuf
Beautiful social leader of Provins who opposes the Rogrons.
Colonel Gouraud
supporting
Also known as Colonel Gouraud, Gouraud, The Colonel, the Colonel, Colonel
Rough military man who courts Sylvie Rogron for her money.
Vinet
supporting
Also known as Vinet, Madame Vinet, the wily Vinet, the abominable Vinet, Madame
Cunning lawyer and political schemer in Provins.
Abbé Chapeloud
minor
Also known as the Abbé Chapeloud, The late Abbé Chapeloud, The Abbé Chapeloud, Chapeloud, the venerated Abbé Chapeloud
Deceased priest whose comfortable apartment becomes a source of conflict.
Desroches
supporting
Also known as Desroches senior, Desroches, the harsh Desroches, The younger Desroches, young Desroches, Monsieur Desroches, old Desroches
Lawyer who advises the Bridau family on their legal affairs.
Mariette
minor
Also known as Mariette
Dancer and mistress of Philippe Bridau in Paris.
La Védie
minor
Also known as La Védie, la Védie, Védie
Servant of Sylvie Rogron who helps mistreat Pierrette.
Céleste Habert
minor
Also known as Mademoiselle Habert, Céleste Habert, Céleste, Mademoiselle Céleste Habert, Habert
Spinster who hopes to marry Joseph Bridau.
Mademoiselle Salomon de Villenoix
minor
Also known as Mademoiselle Salomon de Villenoix, Mademoiselle Salomon, Mademoiselle de Villenoix
Wealthy heiress who marries Philippe Bridau.
Monsieur de Bourbonne
minor
Also known as Monsieur de Bourbonne, Bourbonne
Old nobleman who observes society in Provins.
Madame Rouget
minor
Also known as Madame Rouget, the wily Rouget, Rouget, old Rouget
Deceased mother of Jean-Jacques and Agathe, who controlled the family fortune.
Fanchette
minor
Also known as Fanchette, old Fanchette
Old servant in the Rogron household.
Monsieur Auffray
minor
Also known as Monsieur Auffray, old Auffray, Auffray
Doctor who attends to Pierrette during her illness.
Denis Rogron
minor
Also known as Denis Rogron, Rogron, Denis
Brother of Sylvie, weak and dominated by his sister.
Major Potel
minor
Also known as Major Potel, Potel
Old soldier and friend of Max Gilet in Issoudun.
Florentine
minor
Also known as Florentine, Mademoiselle Florentine
Actress and mistress of Philippe Bridau.
Bathilde de Chargeboeuf
minor
Also known as Mademoiselle Bathilde de Chargeboeuf, Bathilde, Mademoiselle Bathilde, Mademoiselle de Chargeboeuf
Beautiful but poor noblewoman who becomes involved with Vinet.
Monsieur Mouilleron
minor
Also known as Monsieur Mouilleron, Mouilleron, old Mouilleron
Local magistrate in Provins.
Kouski
minor
Also known as Kouski
Polish servant of Philippe Bridau.
Goddet
minor
Also known as Goddet, young Goddet, Goddet junior, Monsieur Goddet the elder, Monsieur Goddet, This Goddet
Doctor who treats Pierrette in her final illness.
Monsieur Tiphaine
minor
Also known as Monsieur Tiphaine, née Tiphaine, Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Président Tiphaine
President of the court in Provins and husband of the beautiful Madame Tiphaine.
Père Rogron
minor
Also known as Père Rogron, Rogron
Deceased father of Sylvie and Denis, a former merchant.
Monsieur Lousteau
minor
Also known as Monsieur Lousteau, Lousteau, née Lousteau, old Lousteau, the gallant Lousteau, Monsieur Lousteau the elder, Lousteau - Prangin, Monsieur Lousteau - Prangin
Local notable and political figure in Provins.
Adèle
minor
Also known as Adèle, sturdy Adèle, good Adèle
Servant in the Hochon household.
Doctor Rouget
minor
Also known as Doctor Rouget, Rouget
Father of Jean-Jacques and Agathe, a wealthy doctor in Issoudun.
Finot
minor
Also known as Finot
Journalist and friend of Joseph Bridau in Paris.
Chaudet
minor
Also known as Chaudet
Sculptor and friend of Joseph Bridau.
Gritte
minor
Also known as Gritte
Servant in the Rogron household.
François Hochon
minor
Also known as François Hochon, François, little François Hochon
Grandson of Monsieur Hochon, a young man in Provins.
Captain Renard
minor
Also known as Captain Renard, Renard
Old soldier and friend of Max Gilet.
Comte de Brambourg
minor
Also known as Comte de Brambourg, the Comte de Brambourg, Monsieur le Comte de Brambourg, Monsieur le Comte, The Comte de Brambourg
Title assumed by Philippe Bridau after his marriage.
Baruch Borniche
minor
Also known as Messieurs, Baruch Borniche, Baruch, little Baruch Borniche, Messieurs Baruch Borniche, Borniche, young Baruch Borniche, little Borniche
Young man and member of the Knights of Idlesse in Issoudun.
Carpentier
minor
Also known as Carpentier, Monsieur Carpentier
Captain and friend of Max Gilet in Issoudun.
Desfondrilles
minor
Also known as Desfondrilles, Monsieur Desfondrilles, old Desfondrilles
Local antiquarian and judge in Provins.
Claparon
minor
Also known as Claparon, old Claparon, Old Claparon
Banker involved in financial schemes in Paris.
Du Bruel
minor
Also known as old du Bruel, du Bruel, Du Bruel
Playwright and friend of the Bridau circle.
Madame de Chargeboeuf
minor
Also known as a widowed Madame Chargeboeuf, Madame de Chargeboeuf, Madame
Impoverished noblewoman and mother of Bathilde.
Monsieur Héron
minor
Also known as Monsieur Héron, young Héron, old Monsieur Héron, Héron, old Héron
Lawyer involved in the Rogron family affairs.
Benjamin Bourdet
minor
Also known as Benjamin Bourdet, Benjamin
Servant of the Rouget household in Issoudun.
Doctor Bianchon
minor
Also known as Doctor Bianchon, Bianchon
Famous Parisian doctor consulted for Pierrette.
Major Mignonnet
minor
Also known as Major Mignonnet, Mignonnet
Honorable old soldier in Issoudun who opposes Max Gilet.
Joseph Collinet
minor
Also known as Joseph Collinet, Collinet, Joseph
Friend of Joseph Bridau in Paris.
Madame Rogron
minor
Also known as Madame Rogron, Rogron, old Madame Rogron
Deceased mother of Sylvie and Denis Rogron.
Julliard
minor
Also known as Julliard, Madame Julliard the younger, Madame Julliard, Madame Julliard the elder, the elder Madame Julliard, old Madame Julliard, young Madame Julliard, Madame
Local family in Provins, part of the social circle.
Madame Guenée
minor
Also known as Madame Guenée, Guenée
Woman who spreads gossip about Pierrette in Provins.
Monsieur Caron
minor
Also known as Monsieur Caron, Caron
Local resident of Provins.
Baron de Listomère
minor
Also known as the Baron de Listomère, The Baron de Listomère, Baron
Nobleman and relative of the Abbé Birotteau.
Madame Desroches
minor
Also known as Madame Desroches, Desroches
Wife of the lawyer Desroches.
Maître Desroches
minor
Also known as Maître Desroches, Desroches
Alternate name for the lawyer Desroches.
Monsieur Frappier
minor
Also known as Monsieur Frappier, Frappier, old Frappier
Notary in Provins.
La Cognette
minor
Also known as La Cognette, la Cognette
Innkeeper in Issoudun where the Knights of Idlesse meet.
Madame Auffray
minor
Also known as Madame Auffray, old Auffray, Auffray, Dear Madame Auffray
Wife of the doctor who treats Pierrette.
Monsieur Habert
minor
Also known as Monsieur Habert
Brother of Céleste Habert.
Madame Roguin
minor
Also known as Madame Roguin, Roguin
Wife of a notary involved in financial affairs.
Pierre Grassou
minor
Also known as Pierre Grassou, Pierre Grassou de Fougères, Grassou, Pierre
Painter and friend of Joseph Bridau.
General Brigaut
minor
Also known as General Brigaut, Brigaut
Father of Jacques Brigaut, a former soldier.
Monsieur Néraud
minor
Also known as Monsieur Néraud, Néraud
Doctor in Issoudun.
Abbé Loraux
minor
Also known as the Abbé Loraux, Loraux, old Abbé Loraux, The Abbé Loraux
Priest who counsels Agathe Bridau.
Old Cognet
minor
Also known as Old Cognet, This old Cognet, Cognet
Old soldier and friend of Max Gilet.
Comte de Soulanges
minor
Also known as the Comte de Soulanges, Soulanges
Nobleman mentioned in the social world of Provins.
Monsieur Garceland
minor
Also known as Monsieur Garceland, Monsieur Garceland the Maire, the Maire
Mayor of Provins.
Horace Bianchon
minor
Also known as Horace Bianchon, Horace, Bianchon
Famous Parisian doctor, nephew of Doctor Bianchon.
