The Slaves of Paris · Chapter
The Tempter explained
Tantaine and Dr.
What happens
Tantaine and Dr. Hortebise oversee Paul Violaine's recovery and plot his introduction to the Duke de Champdoce. Paul boasts of his affair with Flavia Rigal, angering Tantaine. Later, Tantaine recruits Toto Chupin for a sabotage job, promising payment and lodging. He also inquires about Caroline Schimmel and learns she is in the hospital. Tantaine then visits Paul's lodgings, where the portress mentions a suspicious visitor.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Secrecy
Tantaine and Hortebise plot to deceive the Duke de Champdoce about Paul's identity; Paul's secret affair with Flavia is revealed.
Power and Manipulation
Tantaine manipulates Toto Chupin with money and lodging, while expressing ambition to surpass Mascarin.
Characters to notice
- Daddy Tantaine
Orchestrates Paul's recovery and recruitment of Toto Chupin; expresses desire to break from Mascarin.
- Paul Violaine
Recovering from surgery; boasts about his affair with Flavia Rigal, angering Tantaine.
- Dr. Hortebise
Attends to Paul's wound and tries to silence Paul's indiscreet comments about Flavia.
- Toto Chupin
Recruited by Tantaine for a sawing job; receives a banknote and lodging instructions.
- Flavia Rigal
Mentioned as Paul's lover who visits him secretly while her father is occupied.
- Gaston de Gandelu
Briefly seen leaving the building with his father as Tantaine watches.
Key passages
“In a month's time Paul can be introduced to the Duke de Champdoce.”
Tantaine and Hortebise plan to present Paul to the Duke de Champdoce after his scar heals.
Key plot point: Paul's false identity is being prepared for introduction to the Duke.
“You wretched scoundrel!”
Tantaine angrily calls Paul a scoundrel after hearing about his affair with Flavia.
Shows Tantaine's fury at Paul's indiscretion.
“Both children of Paris, and both striking examples of the boasted civilization. The dandy struts along the pavement, while the street arab plays in the gutter.”
Tantaine reflects on the contrast between the wealthy Gaston de Gandelu and the poor Toto Chupin.
Highlights social class inequality in Paris.