Madame Bovary · Character

Justin

The Homais' young, infatuated assistant who works in the pharmacy.

minor

Also known as little Justin

First appearance: part ii ii

Justin's tie to Emma Bovary is one of the pressures that moves Madame Bovary—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Homais's apprentice, who is fond of the Bovary household and is accused by Homais of being in love with Félicité and of eavesdropping.

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See Justin in IV Book page

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With Emma Bovary (professional): Justin is Homais's apprentice who is infatuated with Emma and runs errands for her, including accessing the arsenic. With Charles Bovary (professional): Charles interacts with Justin as a local youth and employee of Homais, unaware of his role in Emma's suicide. With Emma Bovary (professional): Justin is Homais's apprentice who is infatuated with Emma and runs errands for her, including accessing the arsenic.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Justin sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Justin in part ii ii

Character Web

15 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Central Characters
Secondary & Tertiary Figures

+10 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene represents Emma's ultimate psychological exposure and humiliation, as her private life—from dresses…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Emma Bovary
professional · ambivalent
Justin is Homais's apprentice who is infatuated with Emma and runs errands for her,… How this plays out →
Charles Bovary
professional · neutral
Emma Bovary
professional · ambivalent
Justin is Homais's apprentice who is infatuated with Emma and runs errands for her,… How this plays out →
Emma Bovary
professional · ambivalent
Justin is Homais's apprentice who is infatuated with Emma and runs errands for her,… How this plays out →

Emma Bovary
Justin is Homais's apprentice who is infatuated with Emma and runs errands for her, including accessing the arsenic.
Charles Bovary
Charles interacts with Justin as a local youth and employee of Homais, unaware of his role in Emma's suicide.
Emma Bovary
Justin is Homais's apprentice who is infatuated with Emma and runs errands for her, including accessing the arsenic.
Emma Bovary
Justin is Homais's apprentice who is infatuated with Emma and runs errands for her, including accessing the arsenic.

Relationship notes

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

See Justin in part ii ii

In the story

Justin appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

IV
Homais's apprentice, who is fond of the Bovary household and is accused by Homais of being in love with Félicité and of eavesdropping.
Chapter VII
Assists Charles with the bloodletting but faints at the sight of blood, requiring Emma and others to revive him. He is berated by Homais for his weakness.
The Deepening Affair and Plans for Escape
Serves as a messenger for Emma and Rodolphe. He lingers in the kitchen with Félicité, fascinated by Emma's clothes and cleaning the mud from her rendezvous boots.
I
Mentioned indirectly as part of the past in Yonville ('our poor cactuses'), anchoring the conversation in shared history.
V
Attends to Emma at home, helping her prepare with silent devotion. His presence hints at his infatuation with her.
The Final Desperation
Unwittingly assists Emma in obtaining the arsenic from Homais's laboratory, intimidated by her desperate demeanor.
The Funeral
Found weeping alone at Emma's grave at night, his heart rent by an 'immense regret'; is later discovered by Lestiboudois.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Justin in part ii ii

See Justin in IV