Mademoiselle de Maupin: Analysis of Major Characters
"Mademoiselle de Maupin" is a novel that explores themes of love, identity, and societal norms through its complex characters. The central figure, Mademoiselle Madelaine de Maupin, disguises herself as a man named Théodore, allowing her to engage with the world of men and observe their behaviors without the constraints typically placed on women. This duality creates intrigue, particularly in her interactions with d'Albert, a young aesthete yearning for an ideal partner, and Rosette, d'Albert's charming mistress who struggles to maintain his interest amid his existential musings.
D'Albert finds himself torn between his affection for Rosette and his fascination with Théodore, leading to moments of personal revelation and emotional turmoil. Meanwhile, Rosette, deeply in love yet facing competition from the elusive Théodore, embodies both charm and resilience as she navigates her feelings. Other characters, like De C——— and Madame de Thémines, add layers to the social landscape, illustrating the interconnectedness of love and desire within a fashionable yet morally complex society.
Ultimately, Madelaine's bisexuality complicates her relationships, suggesting that true love may elude her due to her diverse affections. The novel thus presents a rich tapestry of character dynamics that challenge conventional notions of gender and love, inviting readers to reflect on the fluidity of desire and identity.
Mademoiselle de Maupin: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Théophile Gautier
First published: 1835–1836 (English translation, 1889)
Genre: Novel
Locale: France
Plot: Sentimental
Time: Early nineteenth century
M. d'Albert (dahl-BEHR), a young aesthete, handsome, well-educated, and worldly, who has dreamed of and who seeks an ideal woman. Though Rosette provides for a while an education in love's delights, she cannot cure his moods of dreamy longing. Théodore both fascinates and troubles d'Albert, who (to Silvio) admits loving a man but a man who is almost certainly a woman in disguise. He is joyously surprised by Madelaine-Rosalind's offer of a night of love, is transported by the wonderful love itself, and is left astonished at Théodore's disappearance.
Rosette, his mistress, a pretty and charming young woman prescribed by De C——— as a cure for d'Albert's vaporish idealism. She is intelligent, witty, and capricious. From the beginning, she stirs d'Albert sexually and, becoming his mistress, delights him with a variety of pleasures. But these soon pall, and she struggles to conquer his boredom and his return to wistful dreaming. Simultaneously in love with the elusive Théodore, Rosette is saddened to learn that the disguised Isnabel is apparently Théodore's mistress.
Théodore de Sérannes (tay-oh-DOHR deh say-RAHN), in reality Mademoiselle Madelaine de Maupin. In disguise, Madelaine appears to be an extremely handsome young man, an accomplished conversationalist, horseman, and swords-man. Believing she could never, as a woman, discover the true nature of men, she has (posing as a man) somewhat bitterly observed their perfidy and shams when they thought themselves safe from exposure. After the smitten d'Albert has learned her secret, Madelaine (in costume as William Shakespeare's Rosalind) appears in d'Albert's room and grants him one night of perfect love. Also, after leaving d'Albert's room, she spends a mysteriously lengthy visit with Rosette. She then goes out of the life of both Rosette and d'Albert forever, leaving each to comfort and love the other as best they may. As for herself, Madelaine confesses to Graciosa that a bisexual element in her nature prevents her from ever completely loving anyone, man or woman. Though in part modeled upon Shakespeare's Rosalind, whom she plays in an amateur production of As You Like It, Madelaine is, especially in her sensuality, a very different woman.
De C———, a man of the world, d'Albert's friend who introduces him to Rosette.
Madame de Thémines (deh tay-MEEN), a fashionable madam and a former intimate of De C———.
Isnabel (eez-nah-BEHL), Théodore's page, in reality a young woman whose sex is secretly discovered by Rosette after a riding accident.
Silvio (seel-VYOH), d'Albert's friend to whom he writes long confessional letters.
Graciosa (grah-SYOH-sah), Madelaine's epistolary confidante.