A Sentimental Journey: Analysis of Major Characters

Author: Laurence Sterne

First published: A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy, 1768

Genre: Novel

Locale: France

Plot: Sentimental

Time: The 1760's

Mr. Yorick, the Sentimental Traveler. He reacts with exaggerated sensibility to the many, mainly humorous sentimental adventures of which he is a collector in his travels.

La Fleur, Yorick's servant, a boy accomplished at flute playing and lovemaking.

Madame de L———, a fellow traveler whom Yorick meets in Calais. He hopes that she will travel to Paris with him and is heartbroken that she must return to Belgium.

Madame de R———, a lady living in Paris. Madame de L——— gives Yorick a letter of introduction to her.

Count de B———, a Frenchman enthusiastic about everything English. He mistakes Yorick for the character in Hamlet, Prince of Denmark and, greatly pleased to meet so famous a person, presents him with a passport naming him the King's Jester. Later, the count and his friends entertain Yorick at many parties while he is in Paris.

Count L———, the brother of Madame de L———. He comes to take her back to Belgium, just as Yorick's acquaintance with her is ripening.

Maria, an unhappy girl who wanders about the country grieving for her dead father. Yorick sees her in Moulines and sheds a few tears with her.