The Bark Tree: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Bark Tree: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into a diverse ensemble of characters, primarily set within a Parisian context. The narrator remains an elusive figure, quietly observing the events unfold. Étienne Marcel evolves from a seemingly mundane bank employee into a more complex character, grappling with philosophical questions about life after a near-death experience. His journey of self-discovery is guided by Pierre Le Grand, a philosophical thinker who influences Étienne's transformation and navigates the intriguing rumor of a hidden treasure behind Old Taupe's door.
Madame Sidonie Cloche adds a layer of intrigue as a midwife and abortionist, manipulating situations for her amusement and getting involved in the relationships of others, particularly regarding Old Taupe. Supporting characters like Dominique Belhôtel, a café owner with dubious ambitions, and Saturnin, a concierge with literary aspirations, enrich the narrative. The tale also features Old Taupe, a homeless man believed to possess hidden wealth, and Bébé Toutout, a parasitic figure with a nefarious presence in Étienne's family. The intricacies of these characters collectively explore themes of ambition, philosophy, and societal dynamics, inviting readers to reflect on the human condition.
The Bark Tree: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Raymond Queneau
First published: Le Chiendent, 1933 (English translation, 1968)
Genre: Novel
Locale: the outskirts of Paris, France
Plot: Antistory
Time: The early twentieth century, probably the 1920's
The narrator, a shadowy figure who often seems to be following the other characters, though he never reveals more than that about himself.
Étienne Marcel (ay-TYEHN), a Parisian bank employee. Étienne is at first a one-dimensional character, but after being observed by Pierre Le Grand, he acquires three dimensions and begins to question things. He is a typical Parisian who works in the center of the city and returns every day by train to his house in the suburbs. He is married, has a son, and eats a disgusting meal every day in a cafeteria. This routine is broken after Pierre sees him nearly run over in front of a train station. Étienne then stops at a suburb, Blagny, where, in a café, he meets the other characters and becomes embroiled in the question of the treasure behind Old Taupe's door. Étienne becomes a near-philosopher as he awakens to questions about the world (such as the reason for two rubber ducks swimming in a shop window), especially with the help of Pierre. At the novel's end, he is drafted into the army when the French and Etruscans declare war on each other, leaving his wife to disappear and his son in the hands of the evil Bébé Toutout.
Pierre Le Grand, an observer and thinker. He is an enigmatic character who, upon being asked if he is a novelist, declares that he is a character. He is the only character conscious of Étienne's transformations and may appear under other names in the novel, such as Pierre Troc. He is something of a philosophical midwife to Étienne in helping him to learn to think. He also is involved in the comic misunderstanding when people begin to believe that Old Taupe has a fortune hidden behind his door.
Madame Sidonie Cloche (see-doh-NEE kohsh), a midwife and an abortionist. She is another observer, taking special pleasure in seeing people run over. She is instrumental in fostering the belief that Old Taupe has a fortune and gets the young servant girl Ernestine to marry him for his supposed money. A meddling old woman who is vaguely criminal, she shows up at the end of the novel during the French-Etruscan War as Queen of the Etruscans. She is unhappy about being a character in a novel.
Dominique Belhôtel (doh-mee-NEEK behl-oh-TEHL), a café proprietor, a brother of Madame Cloche. He owns the café in which Étienne stops one day for French fries. Another rather dubious figure, he achieves his ambition when he buys a brothel in order to have enough money for his son Clovis to become an engineer when he grows up.
Saturnin Belhôtel (sat-tur-NAN), a brother of Madame Cloche who works as a concierge. He has ambitions of being a writer and confides in Narcense, who lives in his hotel.
Old Taupe (tohp), a bum. Taupe clearly has no means of support except selling junk. He lives by a railroad track where he has placed a door, behind which the others believe he has a fortune. He marries the young servant girl Ernestine in a wedding feast at the café.
Narcense (nahr-SAWNS), a musician and would-be writer. Narcense is unemployed and spends most of his time pursuing women in the street. Alberte, Étienne's wife, attracts him to their suburb, where he spends time trying to meet her.
Bébé Toutout (bay-BAY tew-TEW), a parasitic dwarf. He imposes himself on the Marcel household and goes to live there. Another figure associated with evil, the dwarf helps set up a brothel in the house after Étienne leaves for the war.
Théo (tay-OH), Étienne's son. A typical adolescent in some respects, he prefers looking at obscene photographs to reading philosophy and is interested primarily in sex. He befriends Bébé Toutout and tries to thwart Narcense.
Alberte (al-BEHRT), Étienne's wife. She is very attractive and has men pursuing her constantly, especially Narcense.
Madame Pigeonnier (pee-zheeohn-YAY), a neighbor of Étienne. She is attractive and interested in Théo.
Jupiter, a dog. This poor pet has the misfortune of leaping onto a coffin during a funeral and is hanged.