# Madeleine Lee — Democracy character guide

> Madeleine Lee in Democracy by Henry Adams.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Madeleine, Madeleine Ross

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A brilliant, restless widow who comes to Washington to dissect political power, only to find her own heart and principles caught in its machinery.

## Who they are

Madeleine Lee is a woman of wealth, intellect, and profound ennui who abandons New York society and philanthropy for the study of Washington's political game. Her desire to understand power is matched by her horror of its corrupting touch, and her relationship with Ratcliffe forces her to confront the limits of her own detachment. As the novel's central consciousness, her journey from observer to participant drives the moral inquiry of the early and middle chapters.

## Relationships

### [Mrs. Lightfoot Lee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/characters/mrs_lightfoot_lee)

_family_

Madeleine Lee and Mrs. Lightfoot Lee are sisters, sharing a close bond and often confiding in each other about social and political matters.

### [Sybil Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/characters/sybil_ross)

_friendship_

Madeleine Lee and Sybil Ross are close friends, often sharing social outings and confidences.

### [Lord Skye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/characters/lord_skye)

_friendship_

Lord Skye and Madeleine Lee are friendly acquaintances, with Skye often amused by American society.

### [Mrs. Lightfoot Lee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/characters/mrs_lightfoot_lee)

_family_

Madeleine Lee and Mrs. Lightfoot Lee are sisters, sharing a close bond and often confiding in each other about social and political matters.

### [Sybil Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/characters/sybil_ross)

_friendship_

Madeleine Lee and Sybil Ross are close friends, often sharing social outings and confidences.

### [Mrs. Lightfoot Lee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/characters/mrs_lightfoot_lee)

_family_

Madeleine Lee and Mrs. Lightfoot Lee are sisters, sharing a close bond and often confiding in each other about social and political matters.

### [Sybil Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/characters/sybil_ross)

_friendship_

Madeleine Lee and Sybil Ross are close friends, often sharing social outings and confidences.

### [Lord Skye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/characters/lord_skye)

_friendship_

Lord Skye and Madeleine Lee are friendly acquaintances, with Skye often amused by American society.

### [Lord Skye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/characters/lord_skye)

_friendship_

Lord Skye and Madeleine Lee are friendly acquaintances, with Skye often amused by American society.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/ii)

Strategically flatters Senator Ratcliffe to gain political insight, using her charm and intelligence to manipulate him.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/iii)

Observes Ratcliffe's behavior and realizes his personal interest in her; agrees to attend Schneidekoupon's dinner, feeling a mix of amusement and unease.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/iv)

Hosts the gathering and engages in probing political discussions with Gore and Ratcliffe, seeking clarity on democracy and Ratcliffe's integrity.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/v)

Reflects on the melancholy of presidential lives, attends the White House reception, and engages in intellectual sparring with Ratcliffe.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/vi)

Reflects on her own moral state, feeling 'unclean' compared to Mount Vernon's purity, and is troubled by Ratcliffe's cynicism.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/vii)

Observes signs of bargain and intrigue among politicians, including Ratcliffe's support for Gore and Schneidekoupon's mysterious interviews.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/viii)

Reflects on the government's lack of thought, reconciles herself to Ratcliffe's morals, and hosts various visitors including Mr. Gore, Baron Jacobi, and Mrs. Baker.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/ix)

Agrees to sound out Carrington about the Treasury position, but is disappointed by his refusal. She reflects on Carrington's jealousy and her own past, and is troubled by Ratcliffe's growing influence.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/x)

Resists Carrington's advice and declarations, asserting her independence and grappling with past grief.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/xi)

Receives Ratcliffe's proposal, is overwhelmed and indecisive, later resolves to prioritize Sybil's happiness.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/xii)

Reads Carrington's letter exposing Ratcliffe's corruption; experiences anger, shame, and self-reproach; realizes her own motives for marrying Ratcliffe include ambition and escape from loneliness.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/xiii)

Rejects Ratcliffe's proposal with moral outrage, refuses to be bought, dismisses him with contempt, and ends their relationship.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/conclusion)

Refused Ratcliffe's proposal; adds a postscript expressing bitterness about public opinion.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/characters/madeleine_lee
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/characters