Last Updated on May 6, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. Word Count: 355

Characters Discussed

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Évariste Gamelin

Évariste Gamelin (ay-vah-REEST gahm-LAHN), a young painter. Convinced that the success of the Jacobin cause will bring about a new day for France, he becomes an ardent revolutionary genuinely desiring justice for all. Blinded by his passion for the cause, he gradually assumes the role of self-righteous reformer, and finally, as a member of the Grand Tribunal, orders the execution of people in lots without trial. Among them is his closest friend, Maurice Brotteaux. He thus becomes a symbol of the romantic whose devotion to a cause corrupts his humanity.

Maurice Brotteaux

Maurice Brotteaux (moh-REES broh-TOH), Évariste Gamelin’s friend, an atheist and intellectual who lacks Gamelin’s faith in the goodness of the masses. Executed without trial by the tribunal of which Évariste is a member, he becomes a symbol of the intellectual who will not abandon his integrity for a cause in which he does not believe.

Élodie Blaise

Élodie Blaise (ay-loh-DEE blehz), the seducer of Évariste Gamelin. Purely physical, without ideals or fidelity to any cause, she survives the Reign of Terror to become the mistress of the non-political Philippe Desmahis.

Jean Blaise

Jean Blaise (zhahn), a printseller and Élodie’s father.

Jacques David

Jacques David (zhahk dah-VEED), a painter and young Évariste Gamelin’s teacher.

Pére Longuemare

Pére Longuemare (pehr lohn-geh-MAHR), a monk falsely accused as a thief and given refuge by Maurice Brotteaux, with whom he is finally convicted without trial and executed.

Madame de Rochemaure

Madame de Rochemaure (deh rohsh-MOHR), a revolutionary opportunist.

Henry

Henry (ahn-REE), a dragoon who is the lover of Madame de Rochemaure and Élodie Blaise.

Marat

Marat (mah-RAH) and

Robespierre

Robespierre (rohbs-PYEHR), French revolutionaries.

Athenaïs

Athenaïs (ah-tay-nah-EES), a prostitute once befriended by Maurice Brotteaux and executed with him.

Madame Gamelin

Madame Gamelin, Évariste Gamelin’s mother.

Julie Gamelin

Julie Gamelin (zhew-LEE), Évariste’s sister.

Jacques Maubel

Jacques Maubel (moh-BEHL), a young man convicted by Évariste Gamelin for lack of faith in the people and executed.

Philippe Desmahis

Philippe Desmahis (fee-LEEP day-may-EES), a non-political engraver who survives the Reign of Terror to become the lover of Élodie Blaise.