# Jean Michel Krafft — Jean-Christophe character guide

> Jean Michel Krafft in Jean-Christophe by Romain Rolland.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Jean Michel, Jean Michel, Jean Michel the violoncello

**First appearance:** 0003-part-i-dawn

## Snapshot

A proud, weathered old musician whose gruff verdict on his newborn grandson—'How ugly he is!'—hides the tenderness that will shape a boy into an artist.

## Who they are

Jean Michel is the family's stubborn patriarch, a former Kapellmeister whose morose face and quick eyes preside over the cramped Krafft household. He clashes with his son Melchior's drunken failures while secretly pouring his thwarted musical ambitions into young Christophe, teaching him the old songs and the pride of craft. His death early in the book strips Christophe of his first true ally, forcing the boy to carry the family's musical inheritance alone.

## In the story

### [Jean-Christophe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jean_christophe_se/chapters/jean-christophe)

Christophe's grandfather, a former musician who nurtures his grandson's talent and provides emotional support.

### [Part I: Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jean_christophe_se/chapters/part-i-dawn)

Christophe's grandfather, a former musician who influences his early musical exposure.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jean_christophe_se/chapters/i)

The grandfather, a storyteller who recounts the exploits of Napoleon with patriotic indignation, but also shows obsequious respect for authority and falls asleep during walks.

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

Takes Jean-Christophe to the theater, praises the music and the composer, and later weeps with joy over Jean-Christophe's compositions; sells a chest to fund the concert.

### [Part II: Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jean_christophe_se/chapters/part-ii-morning)

The grandfather, whose musical legacy and guidance are significant in Jean-Christophe's upbringing.

### [I: The Death of Jean Michel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jean_christophe_se/chapters/i-the-death-of-jean-michel)

Growing old, he still defends the great composers' liberties but is less conciliatory than before.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jean_christophe_se/characters/jean_michel_krafft
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jean_christophe_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jean_christophe_se/characters