Memoirs of a Physician: Analysis of Major Characters
"Memoirs of a Physician" is a historical novel that intricately weaves a tale set during the reign of Louis XV in France, focusing on the interplay of magic, politics, and personal relationships. Central to the narrative is Joseph Balsamo, also known as the Count de Fenix, who employs sorcery to manipulate court dynamics and gather sensitive information. His wife, Lorenza Feliciani, becomes an unwilling participant in his magical endeavors until her tragic demise at the hands of Althotas, Balsamo's mentor in the dark arts. The story also highlights Madame Jeanne du Barry, a key figure in the king's court who seeks to shift political power, collaborating with Balsamo and the duc de Richelieu.
The duc de Richelieu is portrayed as a cunning political strategist who, using the secrets obtained through Balsamo's sorcery, successfully orchestrates the dismissal of M. de Choiseul, the king's minister. Other significant characters include Andrée, a young girl whose life is altered by Balsamo’s hypnosis, and her father, Baron de Taverney, who faces the harsh realities of poverty. This narrative explores themes of ambition, manipulation, and the consequences of supernatural influences within a richly detailed historical context, inviting readers to delve deeper into the complexities of its characters and their motivations.
Memoirs of a Physician: Analysis of Major Characters
Authors: Auguste Maquet and Alexandre Dumas, père
First published: Mémoires d'un médecin, 1846–1848 (English translation, 1846)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Paris and its environs
Plot: Historical
Time: Eighteenth century
Joseph Balsamo (zhoh-SEHF bahl-sah-MOH), the Count de Fenix (deh fay-NEEKS), a revolutionary and practitioner of magic. Involved in machinations at the court of Louis XV, he is able, through sorcery, to gather information to further the plots in which he becomes engaged.
Lorenza Feliciani (loh-REHN-zah feh-lee-SYAH-nee), Joseph Balsamo's wife and the unwilling medium for his sorcery until her death at the hands of Althotas.
Madame Jeanne du Barry (zhahn dew bah-REE), the favorite of Louis XV and the ally of the duc de Richelieu and Joseph Balsamo in an attempt to unseat M. de Choiseul as the king's minister.
Armand (ahr-MAHN), duc de Richelieu (dewk deh reesh-LYEW), a political opportunist who, with the aid of Madame du Barry and compromising information gotten through the sorceries of Joseph Balsamo, forces Louis XV to dismiss his minister, M. de Choiseul.
M. de Choiseul (deh shwah-ZEWL), Louis XV's minister, who is dismissed on the strength of information gathered through the necromancy of Joseph Balsamo.
Althotas (ahl-toh-TAS), Joseph Balsamo's instructor in magic. He kills Lorenza Feliciani by drawing from her the blood needed for an elixir of youth. When the vial containing the liquid is broken, he sets fire to his manuscripts and perishes with them in the flames.
Andrée (ahn-DRAY), a young girl saved from the violence of the mob and, later, hypnotized by Joseph Balsamo and forced to give information useful to his sinister purposes. She finally retires to a convent.
Baron de Taverney (deh tah-vehr-NAY), Andrée's impoverished father.
Philippe (fee-LEEP), Andrée's brother.
Gilbert (zheel-BEHR), a young proletarian in love with Andrée, whom he has rescued from mob violence.
Louis XV (lwee), king of France.
Jean Jacques Rousseau (zhahn zhahk rew-SOH), the philosopher.
M. de Sartines (deh sahr-TEEN), the lieutenant of police.
The Duchess of Grammont (grah-MOHN), M. de Choiseul's sister.
Nicole (nee-KOHL), Andrée's maid.
Marat (mah-RAH), a surgeon.