Manette Salomon: Analysis of Major Characters
"Manette Salomon" explores the complex dynamics between its major characters, particularly focusing on the titular character, Manette Salomon, a Jewish model and mistress to the painter Naz de Coriolis. Initially characterized by her frankness and a sense of ignorance, Manette’s journey begins as she gains fame through Coriolis's successful painting of her, leading to a burgeoning pride that transforms her relationship with him. As she embraces her status, mistaken for Coriolis's wife, her ambitions grow, especially after becoming a mother, which ultimately shifts the power dynamic in their relationship.
Naz de Coriolis, committed to the belief that marriage and fatherhood stifle artistic creativity, finds himself increasingly dominated by Manette's ambitions, leading to a decline in his own creative output. The narrative also introduces Anatole Bazoche, a friend of Naz who remains a free-spirited artist but becomes estranged due to Manette's influence. Other characters, such as Chassagnol and Garnotelle, further illustrate the artistic community's complexities, with relationships strained by personal ambitions and prejudices, particularly regarding Manette's Jewish identity. Overall, "Manette Salomon" serves as a poignant commentary on the intersections of love, ambition, and artistic integrity within a challenging social landscape.
Manette Salomon: Analysis of Major Characters
Authors: Jules de Goncourt and Edmond de Goncourt
First published: 1867 (English translation, 1871)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Paris, France
Plot: Naturalism
Time: Nineteenth century
Manette Salomon (mah-NEHT sah-loh-MOHN), a Jewish model, Naz de Coriolis' mistress. With her frank, ignorant nature and exotic Jewishness, she delights her lover, but when she becomes famous as the subject of his successful painting, there grows in her a pride that causes her to change. Mistaken for Coriolis' wife, she finds this status attractive. When she becomes a mother, her greed for success comes to the fore, and she gradually gains ascendancy over her lover. When they are married, the fulfillment of her ambition spells the death of his creativity.
Naz de Coriolis (nahz deh kohr-yoh-LEES), a young painter who vows never to wed because he believes marriage and fatherhood destroy the artist's creativity. Fascinated by Manette Salomon's physical perfection and exotic Jewishness, he takes her as a model and his mistress. When fame and motherhood arouse her pride and ambition, he has not the strength to struggle against either her domination over him or the resulting death of his creativity.
Anatole Bazoche (ah-nah-TOHL bah-ZOHSH), a painter, Naz de Coriolis' close friend, who is alienated from him by Manette. A true bohemian to the last, Anatole, never a “success,” retains his freedom.
Chassagnol (shah-sah-NYOHL), a painter alienated from Naz de Coriolis by Manette.
Garnotelle (gahr-noh-TEHL), a mediocre but successful painter after whom Manette insists Naz de Coriolis model himself.
Crescent (kreh-SAHN), a painter, and Mme Crescent, his wife, who befriend Manette but become cool toward her when they learn that she is Jewish.