The Counterfeiters · Chapter
VII: The Author Reviews His Characters explained
The author pauses to reflect on his characters, expressing anxiety about Edouard's decision to place little Boris in Azaïs's school, criticizing Edouard's self-deception and curiosity.
What happens
The author pauses to reflect on his characters, expressing anxiety about Edouard's decision to place little Boris in Azaïs's school, criticizing Edouard's self-deception and curiosity. He reviews Bernard's development, noting his early promise but disappointment in his conformity, and laments that Olivier fell under Passavant's influence instead of Edouard's. He dismisses Passavant and Lady Griffith as hollow, and accepts responsibility for the characters he has encountered.
Themes in this chapter
Morality and Corruption
The author critiques Edouard's self-deception and the corrupting influence of Azaïs's school and Passavant's circle.
Youth and Education
The chapter examines the education and development of Bernard, Olivier, and Boris, highlighting the dangers of poor influences.
Characters to notice
- Edouard
The author criticizes Edouard's imprudence in confiding Boris to Azaïs, his self-deception, and his curiosity that may turn to cruelty.
- Little Boris
Described as tender and fragile, exposed to the poisonous air of Azaïs's school.
- Bernard Profitendieu
The author reflects on Bernard's early rebellion and subsequent conformity, noting his generosity but also his reliance on books over life.
- Olivier Molinier
The author laments that Olivier fell under Passavant's influence instead of Edouard's, noting his tender nature and vanity.
- Robert de Passavant
Dismissed as ruinous and unscrupulous, with a pernicious influence on Olivier.
Key passages
“I am afraid that Edouard, in confiding little Boris to Azaïs’s care, is committing an imprudence.”
The author worries that Edouard is making a mistake by entrusting Boris to Azaïs.
Expresses concern about Edouard's judgment.
“He knows Azaïs’s school; he knows the poisonous air that reigns in it, under the stifling cover of morality and religion.”
Edouard is aware of the toxic environment at Azaïs's school, masked by morality and religion.
Highlights the hypocrisy of the school.
“I cannot console myself for the turn of chance which made him take Olivier’s place beside Edouard.”
The author regrets that Bernard, not Olivier, ended up with Edouard.
Reflects on the missed opportunity for Olivier's development.