# Widow Chupin — Monsieur Lecoq character guide

> Widow Chupin in Monsieur Lecoq by Émile Gaboriau.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the Widow Chupin

**First appearance:** 0000-monsieur-lecoq

## Who they are

The wife of Father Chupin, a coarse and violent woman.

## In the story

### [Part I: The Inquiry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se/chapters/part-i-the-inquiry)

A witness examined during the investigation.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se/chapters/i)

The woman crouched on the staircase, moaning in shock; she is bound and taken to the station-house along with the prisoner.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se/chapters/iv)

Her drinking den, the Poivrière, is the site of the crime; vagabonds hear shots fired there.

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

Her apron, with pockets turned inside out, is found at the scene, indicating the accomplice's entry.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se/chapters/vii)

Brought to the prefecture; initially violent but later calms down and pleads innocence.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se/chapters/ix)

The hostess of the Poivrière, brought in for examination; she tries to appear innocent and sympathetic but is confronted with her criminal record.

### [The Examination of the Widow Chupin and the Prisoner May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se/chapters/x)

The landlady of the Poivrière, suspected of conniving with the murderer; remains silent and is kept in solitary confinement despite her complaints.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se/chapters/xiii)

Mentioned as having a son named Polyte who might know the frequenters of the Poivrière.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se/chapters/xv)

The Widow Chupin is mentioned as the mother-in-law of Toinon, and Lecoq seeks to find Toinon to learn more about the Chupin family and their associates.

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

Mentioned as having an interview with the accomplice; her sister's permit was used to visit Polyte.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se/chapters/xxiv)

Referenced as the location where d'Escorval completed his task before visiting the prison.

### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se/chapters/liii)

After Chupin's death, she and her son Polyte run a drinking-saloon; she is manipulated by Jean Lacheneur to lure Blanche to the Poivrière.

### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se/chapters/liv)

Summons the duchess to the Poivrière; her daughter-in-law is the mistress of the Poivrière.

### [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se/chapters/lv)

Imprisoned in the station-house; Otto throws her a note before leaving.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se/characters/widow_chupin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/monsieur_lecoq_se/characters