Eugénie Grandet · Character

Félix Grandet

A former cooper turned Saumur's richest miser, he rules his household like a vault—counting, hoarding, and trusting no one with the key.

major

Also known as M. Grandet, Grandet, old Grandet, Goodman Grandet, père Grandet, Master Grandet

First appearance: Eugénie Grandet

As a major figure in Eugénie Grandet, Félix Grandet is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Aged and paralyzed, dies at 82; his greed for gold persists until the end; he entrusts Eugénie with the keys and instructs her in estate management.

In the storyEugénie GrandetOpen this moment free

Once a plain master cooper, Grandet parlayed his wife's dowry and a shrewd Revolutionary land grab into a fortune the whole town whispers about but never sees. In his gloomy house on the steep street, he rations candles, bread, and affection with the same iron thrift, keeping even his wife and daughter in anxious dependence. His avarice is the engine of the early story: every visitor, suitor, and family crisis must first pass through his ledger.

See Félix Grandet in Eugénie Grandet Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Félix Grandet sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Social
Other

Character groups

Saumur social factions
Protagonist

+8 more in the full Character Web

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Relationships

Eugénie Grandet
family · negative
Daughter and miserly father, a relationship defined by Félix's emotional and financial… How this plays out →
Charles Grandet
family · negative
Cruchot de Bonfons
social · ambivalent
Cruchot de Bonfons
social · ambivalent
Eugénie Grandet
family · negative
Daughter and miserly father, a relationship defined by Félix's emotional and financial… How this plays out →
Charles Grandet
family · negative
Cruchot de Bonfons
social · ambivalent
Charles Grandet
family · negative
Eugénie Grandet
family · negative
Daughter and miserly father, a relationship defined by Félix's emotional and financial… How this plays out →

Eugénie Grandet
Daughter and miserly father, a relationship defined by Félix's emotional and financial control over Eugénie.
Charles Grandet
Uncle and nephew, with Félix exploiting Charles's financial ruin to gain advantage and later disowning him.
Cruchot de Bonfons
A relationship of mutual manipulation, with Cruchot courting Félix's favor to secure Eugénie's hand.
Cruchot de Bonfons
A relationship of mutual manipulation, with Cruchot courting Félix's favor to secure Eugénie's hand.
Eugénie Grandet
Daughter and miserly father, a relationship defined by Félix's emotional and financial control over Eugénie.
Charles Grandet
Uncle and nephew, with Félix exploiting Charles's financial ruin to gain advantage and later disowning him.
Cruchot de Bonfons
A relationship of mutual manipulation, with Cruchot courting Félix's favor to secure Eugénie's hand.
Charles Grandet
Uncle and nephew, with Félix exploiting Charles's financial ruin to gain advantage and later disowning him.
Eugénie Grandet
Daughter and miserly father, a relationship defined by Félix's emotional and financial control over Eugénie.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Félix Grandet in Eugénie Grandet

In the story

Félix Grandet appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Eugénie Grandet

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Félix Grandet unlock in the free preview.

See Félix Grandet in Eugénie Grandet