# Jean Butscha — Modeste Mignon character guide

> Jean Butscha in Modeste Mignon by Honoré de Balzac.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Butscha, Monsieur Butscha, hideous little Butscha, poor Butscha, Sire Butscha

**First appearance:** 0001-modeste-mignon

## Snapshot

A foundling clerk, hunchbacked and smallpox-scarred, who has made Modeste his idol and would give his life for her.

## Who they are

Butscha is the head-clerk of the Latournelle household, a man whose grotesque appearance and humble origins have taught him to live under the gaze of pity since childhood. Silent, reserved, and fiercely intelligent, he conceals a devotion to Modeste Mignon so absolute that he becomes her secret ally and protector. His sharp eyes and sharper mind make him a quiet force in the schemes surrounding her, even as his own heart remains hopelessly bound to her.

## Relationships

### [Modeste Mignon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/modeste_mignon)

_friendship_

Jean is Modeste's loyal and clever servant, who aids her schemes and acts as a trusted ally.

### [Anne Dumay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/anne_dumay)

_friendship_

Anne and Jean are close allies, working together to protect Modeste's interests and secrets.

### [Ernest de la Brière](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/ernest_de_la_briere)

_friendship_

Ernest and Jean become allies, with Jean helping Ernest win Modeste's heart through clever schemes.

### [Modeste Mignon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/modeste_mignon)

_friendship_

Jean is Modeste's loyal and clever servant, who aids her schemes and acts as a trusted ally.

### [Anne Dumay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/anne_dumay)

_friendship_

Anne and Jean are close allies, working together to protect Modeste's interests and secrets.

### [Modeste Mignon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/modeste_mignon)

_friendship_

Jean is Modeste's loyal and clever servant, who aids her schemes and acts as a trusted ally.

### [Anne Dumay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/anne_dumay)

_friendship_

Anne and Jean are close allies, working together to protect Modeste's interests and secrets.

### [Ernest de la Brière](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/ernest_de_la_briere)

_friendship_

Ernest and Jean become allies, with Jean helping Ernest win Modeste's heart through clever schemes.

### [Ernest de la Brière](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/ernest_de_la_briere)

_friendship_

Ernest and Jean become allies, with Jean helping Ernest win Modeste's heart through clever schemes.

## In the story

### [Modeste Mignon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/chapters/modeste-mignon)

The hunchback who sympathizes with Ernest and tries to warn Modeste of the conspiracy.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/jean_butscha
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters