Monsieur Lecoq: Analysis of Major Characters
"Monsieur Lecoq" is a detective novel featuring a young Parisian detective, Monsieur Lecoq, who faces significant challenges while investigating a double murder and a wounded individual. Despite his determination, Lecoq is unable to solve the crime, highlighting the complexities and obstacles faced by investigators. The story also introduces Gevrol, an elderly police inspector lacking imagination, whose professional rivalry with Lecoq adds tension to the narrative. Key characters include Mother Chupin, the proprietor of the wineshop where the crime occurs, and Father Absinthe, a seasoned policeman and ally of Lecoq. Another pivotal character is May, a suspect who becomes increasingly desperate, culminating in his attempted suicide and mysterious disappearance following a staged escape. The character of Tabaret serves as an oracle within the police force, suggesting that May might be linked to the Duke of Sairmeuse. The legal proceedings are further complicated by M. d’Escorval, the judge who suffers an injury, and M. Segmuller, who takes over the case. The interplay of these characters deepens the intrigue and drama of the investigation.
Monsieur Lecoq: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Émile Gaboriau
First published: 1869 (English translation, 1879)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Paris, France
Plot: Detective and mystery
Time: Nineteenth century
Monsieur Lecoq (leh-KOHK), a young Paris detective who finds two people dead and one wounded. He is hampered in his investigation of the crime and never solves it.
Gevrol (zheh-VROHL), an elderly inspector of police who is without imagination. Lecoq's persistance in trying to solve the crime causes subsequent enmity between them.
Mother Chupin (shew-PAN), owner of the wineshop that is the scene of the crime.
Father Absinthe (ahb-SANT), an experienced policeman and a friend of Lecoq.
May, who is arrested at the scene of the murder while holding the gun. He tries to strangle himself while in jail. When allowed to “escape” so that he can be followed, he disappears permanently.
An Accomplice, who is permitted to help May “escape.” He is recaptured, but May disappears in the garden of the Duke of Sairmeuse.
Tabaret (tah-bah-RAY), the oracle of the police force, who concludes that May must be the Duke of Sairmeuse himself.
M. d'Escorval (dehs-kohr-VAHL), the presiding judge, who breaks his leg rather than try May.
M. Segmuller (ZEEG-mew-lehr), the new judge assigned to the case.