Lucien Leuwen: Analysis of Major Characters
"Lucien Leuwen" is an unfinished novel that centers around its protagonist, Lucien Leuwen, the son of a wealthy banker. Expelled from school for his republican views, Lucien embarks on a tumultuous journey as an officer in a regiment. His life takes a significant turn when he falls in love with Bathilde de Chasteller, a beautiful and aristocratic widow, but their romance is thwarted by deceit from Dr. du Poirier, who leads the monarchist faction and manipulates Lucien into abandoning Bathilde. As Lucien navigates his career in Paris, propelled by his father's influence, he grapples with disillusionment following a love affair. After his father's death, he faces financial challenges yet fulfills his obligations to creditors, which leaves him with a modest living. Additional characters, like his ambitious father and Madame Grandet, who becomes infatuated with Lucien, add complexity to the narrative, highlighting themes of love, ambition, and societal expectations. Overall, the novel explores the trials of a young man caught between personal desires and the pressures of aristocratic society.
Lucien Leuwen: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Stendhal
First published: 1855, 1894, 1926–1927 (wr. 1834–1835; English translation, 1950)
Genre: Novel
Locale: France
Plot: Psychological
Time: The 1830's
Lucien Leuwen (lew-SYAHN lew-VAHN), the hero of this unfinished novel. The son of a rich banker, he is expelled from school for expressing mild republican leanings, and he becomes an officer in a regiment of lancers going to maintain order at Nancy. There he falls in love with a wealthy, aristocratic widow, but he is tricked into leaving her. Obtaining a government post in Paris through his father's influence, he is successful until he is disillusioned because of a love affair. On his father's death, he insists on full payment to creditors and salvages only a modest income for himself and his mother. Given an embassy appointment, he is only mildly melancholy for his lost love.
Bathilde de Chasteller (bah-TEELD deh shas-tehl-LAY), a beautiful, aristocratic widow, Lucien's true love. The aristocratic young men of the town are afraid that he will marry her and take her and her money away.
Dr. du Poirier (dew pwahr-YAY), a physician and the leader of the monarchist set in Nancy. He tricks Lucien into leaving Bathilde by making him think that her several days' illness is confinement to childbed.
Monsieur Leuwen, Lucien's father. Charming and wealthy, he is ambitious both for his son and for himself. Powerful enough to dictate who shall be in the Cabinet, he arranges to have a fatuous man given a post in exchange for his wife's becoming Lucien's mistress.
Madame Grandet (grahn-DAY), a beautiful and ambitious woman. “Bought” for Lucien, she comes to love him. Learning the truth, however, he is greatly upset and leaves Paris.