# François Paradis — Maria Chapdelaine character guide

> François Paradis in Maria Chapdelaine by Louis Hémon.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** François Paradis of Mistassini, François, Paradis, Paradis of Mistassini

**First appearance:** 0002-iii-fran-ois-passes-by

## Snapshot

A bold-eyed trapper and woodsman of Mistassini who returns after seven years to stir Maria's heart with his restless, laughing hunger for the far country.

## Who they are

François sold his father's farm to live in the bush, trading with the Indians of Lake Mistassini and the Labrador, and he carries the forest's wildness in his frank, disconcerting gaze. His sudden reappearance at St. Michel reawakens Maria's memories and sets a courtship in motion across the frozen distances of the Peribonka. When he vows to walk home through the winter rivers for her sake, his reckless devotion becomes the measure against which every quieter suitor must be judged.

## Relationships

### [Maria Chapdelaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se/characters/maria_chapdelaine)

_romantic_

François is Maria's first love, a passionate and adventurous woodsman whose tragic death leaves her heartbroken.

### [Samuel Chapdelaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se/characters/samuel_chapdelaine)

_social_

François is known to Samuel as a young woodsman and a potential suitor for his daughter.

### [Eutrope Gagnon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se/characters/eutrope_gagnon)

_rivalry_

Eutrope and François are rivals for Maria's affection, though their rivalry is quiet and respectful.

### [Eutrope Gagnon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se/characters/eutrope_gagnon)

_rivalry_

Eutrope and François are rivals for Maria's affection, though their rivalry is quiet and respectful.

### [Samuel Chapdelaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se/characters/samuel_chapdelaine)

_social_

François is known to Samuel as a young woodsman and a potential suitor for his daughter.

### [Maria Chapdelaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se/characters/maria_chapdelaine)

_romantic_

François is Maria's first love, a passionate and adventurous woodsman whose tragic death leaves her heartbroken.

### [Maria Chapdelaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se/characters/maria_chapdelaine)

_romantic_

François is Maria's first love, a passionate and adventurous woodsman whose tragic death leaves her heartbroken.

## In the story

### [I: Peribonka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se/chapters/i-peribonka)

A young woodsman who greets the Chapdelaines on the road, recalls Maria from seven years ago, and promises to visit their farm.

### [III: François Passes By](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se/chapters/iii-fran-ois-passes-by)

François arrives unexpectedly, muddy from the woods, and speaks of his life as a trapper and guide. He shows a quiet confidence and a preference for the wilderness over farming, and his presence stirs Maria's heart.

### [Straying Tracks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se/chapters/x-straying-tracks)

The lost man; described as brave, hardworking, and well-liked; his death is mourned by all.

### [XI: The Interpreter of God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se/chapters/xi-the-interpreter-of-god)

Deceased; his memory and Maria's grief for him are the central subject of the chapter.

### [XIII: Love Bearing Chains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se/chapters/xiii-love-bearing-chains)

François is remembered by Maria as her true love, whose death in the woods leaves her heart empty and yearning.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se/characters/francois_paradis
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/maria_chapdelaine_se/characters