Journey to the End of the Night: Analysis of Major Characters
"Journey to the End of the Night" is a novel by Ferdinand Céline, presenting a deep and often cynical exploration of human nature through the eyes of its protagonist, Ferdinand Bardamu. Bardamu, a war-wounded and disillusioned individual, embarks on a tumultuous journey across various roles such as a medical student, soldier, and mental patient, reflecting the chaotic and often harsh realities of life.
Key characters in the narrative include Léon Robinson, Bardamu's unscrupulous friend who embodies cynicism, and Madelon, a young woman driven by jealousy and rage. Other significant figures include Lola, Bardamu’s mistress, and Musyne, a dancer and another romantic interest. The novel also introduces various supporting characters, such as Doctor Bestombes, a psychiatrist, and the Abbé Protiste, a priest involved in dubious enterprises. Throughout this intricate web of relationships, the characters traverse themes of love, betrayal, and existential despair, offering readers a gritty, thought-provoking reflection on the complexity of human interactions and the struggle for meaning in a turbulent world. This rich character landscape invites examination of the moral dilemmas and psychological depths faced by individuals in their pursuit of identity and connection.
Journey to the End of the Night: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Louis-Ferdinand Céline
First published: Voyage au bout de la nuit, 1932 (English translation, 1934)
Genre: Novel
Locale: France, Africa, and the United States
Plot: Naturalism
Time: World War I and following years
Ferdinand Bardamu (fehr-dee-NAHN bahr-dah-MEW), a war-wounded, disillusioned, cynical neurotic and a rogue. Successively a medical student, soldier, mental patient, pimp, flea expert, Ford worker, doctor, music-hall supernumerary, and administrator of a madhouse, he undergoes experiences that would tax the strongest constitution and the sanest mind. In his restless shifting from one job to another and from one locale to another, he resembles not only the rogues of pica-resque fiction but also his creator, Ferdinand Céline.
Léon Robinson (lay-OHN), his friend, an unscrupulous cynic who turns up, like a personal demon, everywhere Ferdinand goes. The planner of the bombing of old Madame Henrouille, he is temporarily blinded by his own bomb. He is later killed by Madelon.
Madelon (mahd-LOHN), an attractive young woman of easy morals. Engaged to Leon, she becomes insanely jealous when he attempts to get rid of her; and after threatening to inform the police of his murder of Madame Henrouille, she shoots him in a rage and flees.
Lola, an American Red Cross worker who becomes Ferdinand's mistress in France and who later permits him to live with her for a time after he comes to New York.
Musyne (mew-ZEEN), a dancer and prostitute, another of Ferdinand's mistresses.
Madame Hérote (ay-ROHT), a Parisian lingerie-glove-bookshop keeper and a prostitute.
Doctor Bestombes (bay-TOHMB), a psychiatrist in a mental hospital.
Roger Puta (roh-ZHAY pew-TAH), a jeweler for whom Ferdinand works before the war; during the war, he is a driver for a cabinet minister.
Lieutenant Grappa (grah-PAH), a brutal officer in charge of TopostationinAfrica.
Molly, an American prostitute in Detroit; Ferdinand is briefly in love with her.
The Abbé Protiste (proh-TEEST), a priest who arranges for Léon and Madame Henrouille to set up a little business in Toulouse, showing mummies in a crypt to tourists.
Tania (tahn-YAH), a Polish friend of Ferdinand whose lover dies in Berlin.
Doctor Baryton (bah-ree-TOHN), a psychiatrist who operates a madhouse, becomes mad about English (which he learns from Ferdinand and from reading Macaulay), and rushes off to England and other lands, leaving the madhouse in Ferdinand's charge.
Doctor Serge Parapine (sehrzh pah-rah-PEEN), a medical researcher later employed as a staff physician at Baryton's asylum; a friend of Ferdinand.
The Henrouilles (ahn-ROO-ee), a Parisian family for whom Ferdinand performs various medical services.
Bébert (bay-BEHR), a young boy, a patient of Ferdinand, who dies of typhoid fever.
Gustave Mandamour (gew-STAHV mahn-dah-MEWR), a traffic policeman, a friend of Ferdinand and Leon.
Sophie (soh-FEE), a voluptuous Slovak nurse hired by Ferdinand; he is fascinated by her.