Jean-Christophe (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Romain Rolland
- Type of Work: Novels
- Type of Plot: Social
- Time of Work: Late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
- Setting: Germany, France, and Switzerland
- Genres: Long fiction, Social realism
- Subjects: Maturation or coming of age, Parents and children, France or French people, Love or romance, Twentieth century, Nineteenth century, Music or musicians, Exile or expatriates, Fathers, Pianos or pianists, Composers, Germany or German people, Switzerland or Swiss people, Violins or violinists, Royal courts or courtiers, Exceptional or gifted children or prodigies
- Locales: France, Germany, Switzerland
Characters Discussed
Jean-Christophe Krafft (zhah[n]-krees- TOHF krahft), a musical genius who is uneducated in most phases of life. He has temporary love affairs and gets involved in the syndicalist political movement. He dies alone in Paris, recognized as the world’s greatest composer of modern music.
Melchior Krafft (mehl-CHOHR), his virtuoso father.
Louisa (lwee-ZAH), his lower- class mother.
Jean Michel (zhah[n] mee- SHEHL), a famous orchestra conductor and Jean- Christophe’s grandfather.
Ada (ah-DAH), a vulgar shop girl who becomes Jean-Christophe’s first mistress.
Lorchen (lohr-SHAH[N]), a young farm girl in whose defense Jean-Christophe kills a soldier and has to leave Germany.
Colette Stevens (koh-LEHT stay-VAH[N]), a coquette to whom Jean-Christophe gives music lessons.
Grazia (grah-TSYAH), Colette’s cousin, who secretly helps build Jean- Christophe’s reputation. After her husband’s death, she encourages Jean-Christophe in Switzerland.
Antoinette (ahn-twah-NEHT), who dies of consumption while educating her brother Olivier.
Olivier (oh-lee-VYAY), a writer who admires Jean-Christophe’s work. He is killed while with Jean-Christophe in a May Day political riot.
Jacqueline (zhahk-LEEN), a shallow girl, Olivier’s wife.
Anna (ah-NAH), a married woman with whom Jean-Christophe has an affair during his Swiss exile.
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