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Father Goriot · Character

Delphine de Nucingen

Goriot's younger daughter, a baroness whose carriage and jewels hide a cold marriage, mounting debts, and a hunger to be loved.

major

Also known as Delphine, Delphine Goriot, Mme. de Nucingen, Baronne de Nucingen

First appearance: father goriot

As a major figure in Father Goriot, Delphine de Nucingen is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

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Married to a wealthy banker who controls every sou, Delphine moves through the glitter of the Faubourg Saint-Germain while privately selling her diamonds and borrowing to keep up appearances. She becomes Rastignac's…

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Character Web

33 connections

A slice of how Delphine de Nucingen sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

EDEugène de Rast…DMDame MorinFGFather GoriotADAnastasie de R…CFColonel Franch…DDDelphine de Nucingen

Relationship types

  • Romantic
  • Family
  • Rivalry
  • Other

Character groups

  • Protagonist
  • Main narrative characters
  • Secondary and background figures

+28 more in the full Character Web

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Relationships

Relationship notes

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See Delphine de Nucingen in father goriot
See Delphine de Nucingen in father goriot