Characters Discussed
(Great Characters in Literature)
Zazie Lalochère
Zazie Lalochère (zah-ZEE lah-loh-SHEHR), a preteenage girl who is nasty, precocious, clever, and vulgar. She has come to Paris for the sole purpose of riding the subway. Unfortunately, the subway workers are on strike. Zazie spends her entire stay griping about life, causing havoc, and setting the people with whom she comes in contact at loggerheads, especially her uncle, Gabriel, whom she suspects of being a homosexual. When, finally, the subway resumes operation, Zazie is so exhausted from her escapades and partying that she misses the entire adventure, although her Paris weekend has nevertheless been a thrilling, eye-opening, and maturing experience.
Gabriel
Gabriel, who works under the stage name of Gabriella as a female impersonator and dancer in a gay nightclub. Tall and muscular, yet graceful, the thirty-two-year-old Gabriel considers his act art and himself an artist. Although he lacks sophistication, at times he waxes philosophical about life’s transience. Alternately severe and indulgent with his niece Zazie, he plays his part in the madcap and unbridled events of tourism gone wild by inviting friends, acquaintances, and a busload of foreigners to share in the Paris-by-night activities.
Trouscaillon
Trouscaillon (trews-ki-YOH[N]), also known as Pedro-Surplus, Bertin Poirée (pwah-RAY), and Haroun al-Rations,...
(The entire section is 628 words.)