# La Fontaine in the Character of a Negotiator explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

> Chapter companion for The Vicomte de Bragelonne by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

Fouquet's literary circle debates the sale of his post as procureur-général. La Fontaine reveals he has found a buyer, Vanel, who offers 1.5 million francs. Pélisson warns with a fable about a tortoise selling its shell, but Fouquet decides to proceed, instructing Pélisson to pack valuables and prepare for the transaction. Vanel is brought in, and they agree to finalize the sale the next morning.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Corruption

The sale of Fouquet's parliamentary post for personal financial gain, with Vanel's ambition and Madame Vanel's pressure driving the transaction.

### Friendship and Betrayal

Pélisson's fable warns of the danger of selling one's protective 'shell,' hinting at potential betrayal or loss of security, while La Fontaine acts as a negotiator for Vanel.

## Character check-ins

### Nicolas Fouquet

The superintendent, host of the gathering, decides to sell his post of procureur-général to Vanel.

### Jean de La Fontaine

The poet who negotiates the sale, bringing Vanel to Saint-Mandé and presenting the offer to Fouquet.

### Pélisson

Fouquet's friend and advisor, who warns against selling the post with a fable and later carries out Fouquet's orders to pack valuables.

### Gourville

A member of the circle who comments on the financial aspects of the deal and accompanies La Fontaine to fetch Vanel.

### Vanel

The buyer of Fouquet's post, husband of Madame Vanel, who agrees to the terms and will pay 1.5 million francs.

### The Abbé Fouquet

Fouquet's brother, who offers to carry the money bags and participates in the discussion.

## Key lines

> The tortoise sold his shell and remained naked and defenseless. A vulture happened to see him, and being hungry, broke the tortoise’s back with a blow of his beak and devoured it. The moral is, that M. Fouquet should take very good care to keep his gown.

Pélisson warns Fouquet that selling his post will leave him vulnerable to enemies, like a tortoise without its shell.

_Pélisson uses a fable to caution against the sale._

> If anyone were to bring me a generous-hearted snake like the one in your fable, Pélisson, I would give him my shell.

Fouquet says he would sell his post to a generous buyer, like the snake in Pélisson's story.

_Fouquet expresses willingness to sell if the price is right._

> I have fifteen hundred thousand francs here, Monsieur Gourville,” he replied, striking himself on the chest.

La Fontaine claims to have 1.5 million francs for the sale, tapping his chest.

_La Fontaine announces the amount Vanel is offering._

## Links

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