The Life of Marianne: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Life of Marianne" explores the intricacies of love, loss, and resilience through its central character, Marianne, a virtuous orphan. Orphaned at a young age, Marianne is raised by a series of benefactors, including the compassionate M. de Climal, who later proposes to set her up comfortably in Paris, an offer she refuses in order to maintain her independence. Her journey leads her to a convent, where she encounters M. de Valville, a young man who initially becomes enchanted by her beauty and engages to her, only to later abandon her for the alluring Mlle Varthon. The narrative also introduces several key figures, such as Mme de Valville, who provides support to Marianne during her stay at the convent, and Mlle de Tervire, a nun who offers consolation through shared stories of hardship. The interplay between these characters highlights themes of betrayal, the fragility of romantic attachments, and the search for personal agency amidst societal expectations. Overall, the story presents a poignant exploration of Marianne's trials and resilience against a backdrop of emotional turbulence and evolving relationships.
The Life of Marianne: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Marivaux
First published: La Vie de Marianne, 1731–1741 (English translation, 1736–1742)
Genre: Novel
Locale: France
Plot: Fiction of manners
Time: Late seventeenth century
Marianne (mahr-YAHN), the countess of ———, a virtuous orphan. Orphaned as an infant, she is put in the care of a kind woman who dies when Marianne is fifteen years old. Her second benefactor, M. de Climal, offers to set her up in an apartment. She proudly rejects this proposal. She takes up residence in a nearby convent, where she is sought out by a young man who becomes attracted to her appearance when he sees her on the street. He turns out to be M. de Valville, with whom she falls in love and whom she plans to marry until he becomes infatuated with Mlle Varthon and jilts his fiancée.
M. de Valville (deh vahl-VEEL), a young man attracted to Marianne when he sees her on the street. He seeks her out and becomes engaged to her, only to become infatuated with Mlle Varthon, for whom he jilts Marianne.
M. de Climal (deh klee-MAHL), Marianne's benefactor in Paris. He arranges for her lodging with Mme Dutour and later, with protestations of undying love, offers to set her up in an apartment. His offer sends Marianne off to a convent.
Mme de Valville, M. de Valville's mother and Marianne's loving benefactress at the convent until her death, which leaves the girl alone in the world.
Mlle Varthon (vahr-TOHN), a young woman who attracts M. de Valville away from Marianne.
Mlle de Tervire (deh tehr-VEER), a nun who tries to comfort Marianne by telling her the story of her own life.
Mme Dutour (dew-TEWR), a shopkeeper, Marianne's landlady, provided by M. de Climal.