# VII: The Author Reviews His Characters explained — The Counterfeiters

> Chapter companion for The Counterfeiters by André Gide.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/vii-the-author-reviews-his-characters
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_counterfeiters_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters