Là-Bas · Character

Carhaix

The bell-ringer of Saint-Sulpice, a humble and devout man whose aerial cave above the bells offers Durtal the only unironic faith he can stand to be near.

supporting

Also known as Mme, Mme . Carhaix, mama Carhaix, Mama Carhaix

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in Là-Bas, Carhaix is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned by Des Hermies as a unique Catholic with intelligence and without sanctimoniousness, whom Durtal should meet.

In the storyIIOpen this moment free

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Carhaix and his wife bow under the paternal despotism of the priests, and Durtal, watching them, cannot decide whether their simplicity is sanctity or servility. He climbs the tower to sit with them, drawn to their unsmirched souls even as his own skepticism picks at the fat, jovial abbé below. Their cramped, curtained room above the square is the one place in the novel where belief is not argued but simply lived.

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See Carhaix in i

Character Web

15 connections

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

Relationship types

Friendship
Social
Other

Character groups

Occult and Satanic Figures
Protagonist

+10 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Durtal decisiv…

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Relationships

Durtal
friendship · positive
Carhaix, the bell-ringer, offers Durtal a refuge of simplicity and spiritual solace,… How this plays out →
Des Hermies
friendship · positive
Gévingey
social · positive
Dr. Johannès
friendship · positive
Durtal
friendship · positive
Carhaix, the bell-ringer, offers Durtal a refuge of simplicity and spiritual solace,… How this plays out →
Durtal
friendship · positive
Carhaix, the bell-ringer, offers Durtal a refuge of simplicity and spiritual solace,… How this plays out →
Des Hermies
friendship · positive
Des Hermies
friendship · positive
Gévingey
social · positive
Dr. Johannès
friendship · positive
Gévingey
social · positive

Durtal
Carhaix, the bell-ringer, offers Durtal a refuge of simplicity and spiritual solace, forming a warm bond.
Des Hermies
Carhaix and Des Hermies are linked through their mutual friendship with Durtal and shared interest in the occult and medieval lore.
Gévingey
Carhaix and Gévingey are acquaintances through Durtal's circle, sharing a mild interest in esoteric matters.
Dr. Johannès
Carhaix and Dr. Johannès share a quiet friendship, bonded by their roles as caretakers of tradition and knowledge.
Durtal
Carhaix, the bell-ringer, offers Durtal a refuge of simplicity and spiritual solace, forming a warm bond.
Durtal
Carhaix, the bell-ringer, offers Durtal a refuge of simplicity and spiritual solace, forming a warm bond.
Des Hermies
Carhaix and Des Hermies are linked through their mutual friendship with Durtal and shared interest in the occult and medieval lore.
Des Hermies
Carhaix and Des Hermies are linked through their mutual friendship with Durtal and shared interest in the occult and medieval lore.
Gévingey
Carhaix and Gévingey are acquaintances through Durtal's circle, sharing a mild interest in esoteric matters.
Dr. Johannès
Carhaix and Dr. Johannès share a quiet friendship, bonded by their roles as caretakers of tradition and knowledge.
Gévingey
Carhaix and Gévingey are acquaintances through Durtal's circle, sharing a mild interest in esoteric matters.

Relationship notes

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

See Carhaix in i

In the story

Carhaix appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II
Mentioned by Des Hermies as a unique Catholic with intelligence and without sanctimoniousness, whom Durtal should meet.
III
Bell-ringer who shows Durtal and Des Hermies the tower, laments the decline of bell-ringing, and displays his passion for bells.
Chapter IV
Mentioned as the host of a dinner the next evening.
V
Hosts the dinner, shares his disagreement with Gévingey over bell experiments, and contributes anecdotes about Satanist scandals.
Chapter IX
Defends the Church's stance on succubi and incubi, cites saints and Pope Innocent VIII, and expresses outrage at Canon Docre's sacrilege.
XVI
Mentioned as ill with bronchitis by Des Hermies.
XVII
Ill in bed, lamenting the poor ringing of his bells and sharing bell inscriptions with Durtal.
XX
Bell-ringer, hosts dinner, defends orthodox doctrine of the Paraclete.
XXII
Hosts the dinner, rings the angelus, and expresses faith in the coming of the Paraclete despite the world's corruption.
XXII
Serves the meal, offers conciliatory remarks, and is praised for her cooking.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Carhaix in i

See Carhaix in II