# Carhaix — Là-Bas character guide

> Carhaix in Là-Bas by J.-K. Huysmans.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Durtal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/durtal)

_friendship_

Carhaix, the bell-ringer, offers Durtal a refuge of simplicity and spiritual solace, forming a warm bond.

### [Des Hermies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/des_hermies)

_friendship_

Carhaix and Des Hermies are linked through their mutual friendship with Durtal and shared interest in the occult and medieval lore.

### [Gévingey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/gevingey)

_social_

Carhaix and Gévingey are acquaintances through Durtal's circle, sharing a mild interest in esoteric matters.

### [Dr. Johannès](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/dr_johannes)

_friendship_

Carhaix and Dr. Johannès share a quiet friendship, bonded by their roles as caretakers of tradition and knowledge.

### [Durtal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/durtal)

_friendship_

Carhaix, the bell-ringer, offers Durtal a refuge of simplicity and spiritual solace, forming a warm bond.

### [Durtal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/durtal)

_friendship_

Carhaix, the bell-ringer, offers Durtal a refuge of simplicity and spiritual solace, forming a warm bond.

### [Des Hermies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/des_hermies)

_friendship_

Carhaix and Des Hermies are linked through their mutual friendship with Durtal and shared interest in the occult and medieval lore.

### [Des Hermies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/des_hermies)

_friendship_

Carhaix and Des Hermies are linked through their mutual friendship with Durtal and shared interest in the occult and medieval lore.

### [Gévingey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/gevingey)

_social_

Carhaix and Gévingey are acquaintances through Durtal's circle, sharing a mild interest in esoteric matters.

### [Dr. Johannès](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/dr_johannes)

_friendship_

Carhaix and Dr. Johannès share a quiet friendship, bonded by their roles as caretakers of tradition and knowledge.

### [Gévingey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/gevingey)

_social_

Carhaix and Gévingey are acquaintances through Durtal's circle, sharing a mild interest in esoteric matters.

## In the story

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

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

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as the host of a dinner the next evening.

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

Hosts the dinner, shares his disagreement with Gévingey over bell experiments, and contributes anecdotes about Satanist scandals.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xvi)

Mentioned as ill with bronchitis by Des Hermies.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xvii)

Ill in bed, lamenting the poor ringing of his bells and sharing bell inscriptions with Durtal.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xx)

Bell-ringer, hosts dinner, defends orthodox doctrine of the Paraclete.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xxii)

Hosts the dinner, rings the angelus, and expresses faith in the coming of the Paraclete despite the world's corruption.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xxii)

Serves the meal, offers conciliatory remarks, and is praised for her cooking.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/carhaix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters