# Deslauriers — Sentimental Education character guide > Deslauriers in Sentimental Education by Gustave Flaubert. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Charles Deslauriers, Charles **First appearance:** 0007-chapter-i ## Snapshot Frederick's sharp-tongued friend from law school, a man of fierce opinions and no fortune, who watches his friend's romantic paralysis with mounting contempt. ## Who they are Deslauriers is the provincial intellectual who knows exactly what he wants and resents every obstacle, especially the ones Frederick invents for himself. He pushes Frederick toward ambition, borrows his money, and nurses a private grievance about the class that keeps men like him out. His cynicism is the counterweight to Frederick's sentimentality, and their friendship—loyal, competitive, and quietly corrosive—becomes one of the novel's most honest portraits of how ideals and resentments grow up together. ## Relationships ### [Frederick Moreau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/frederick_moreau) _friendship_ Deslauriers is Frederick's childhood friend and confidant, but their relationship is marked by envy, rivalry, and mutual disillusionment. ### [Madame Arnoux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/madame_arnoux) _psychological_ Deslauriers is obsessed with Madame Arnoux as a symbol of Frederick's desire, and later attempts to seduce her out of spite. ### [Mademoiselle Vatnaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/mademoiselle_vatnaz) _romantic_ Deslauriers has a brief, cynical romantic liaison with Mademoiselle Vatnaz, using her for his own ends. ### [Frederick Moreau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/frederick_moreau) _friendship_ Deslauriers is Frederick's childhood friend and confidant, but their relationship is marked by envy, rivalry, and mutual disillusionment. ### [Frederick Moreau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/frederick_moreau) _friendship_ Deslauriers is Frederick's childhood friend and confidant, but their relationship is marked by envy, rivalry, and mutual disillusionment. ### [Mademoiselle Vatnaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/mademoiselle_vatnaz) _romantic_ Deslauriers has a brief, cynical romantic liaison with Mademoiselle Vatnaz, using her for his own ends. ### [Mademoiselle Vatnaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/mademoiselle_vatnaz) _romantic_ Deslauriers has a brief, cynical romantic liaison with Mademoiselle Vatnaz, using her for his own ends. ### [Madame Arnoux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/madame_arnoux) _psychological_ Deslauriers is obsessed with Madame Arnoux as a symbol of Frederick's desire, and later attempts to seduce her out of spite. ### [Madame Arnoux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/madame_arnoux) _psychological_ Deslauriers is obsessed with Madame Arnoux as a symbol of Frederick's desire, and later attempts to seduce her out of spite. ## In the story ### [Sentimental Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/sentimental-education) Frederick's friend; their reunion influences Frederick's decisions and ambitions. ### [Or, The History of a Young Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/or-the-history-of-a-young-man-by-gustave-flaubert) Frederick's friend, mentioned as a correspondent and figure from his past. ### [Sentimental Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/sentimental-education) Frederick's friend and confidant, whose pragmatic advice contrasts with Frederick's romanticism and who shares in his political and social ambitions. ### [CHAPTER I.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-i) Frederick's friend, mentioned in Frederick's thoughts and plans for their future in Paris. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-ii) Mentioned in Frederick's thoughts as a friend from his past. ### [Damon and Pythias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/damon-and-pythias) Deslauriers, pragmatic and ambitious, urges Frederick to use his social connections to advance. He is focused on law and social economy, and his own poverty drives his relentless drive for success. ### [CHAPTER III.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-iii) Meets Frederick upon his return, discusses political and personal matters, and becomes a confidant in Frederick's schemes. ### [Sentiment and Passion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/sentiment-and-passion) Frederick writes long letters to him; blamed by Frederick for not thinking of Madame Arnoux sooner. ### [CHAPTER IV.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-iv) Reunites with Frederick and discusses political and personal ambitions, serving as a confidant and advisor. ### [The Inexpressible She!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/the-inexpressible-she) Deslauriers arrives in Paris with a small inheritance, eager to reconnect with Frederick. He is practical and observant, noting Frederick's extravagant preparations. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-v) Deslauriers visits Frederick at his new home, discussing politics and their shared past. ### [Love Knoweth No Laws.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/love-knoweth-no-laws) Attempts to cheer Frederick up and cynically pursues a woman as part of a bet, later trying to distract Frederick with social outings. ### [CHAPTER VI.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-vi) Frederick's friend who advises him on his newfound wealth and political ambitions. ### [Blighted Hopes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/blighted-hopes) Mentioned as an example of someone who lives without fortune, contrasting with Frederick's despair. ### [Laugh then! shed no more tears! be happy!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/laugh-then-shed-no-more-tears-be-happy) Frederick writes to him about the inheritance. ### [CHAPTER VII.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-vii) Reunites with Frederick and discusses political and personal ambitions. ### [A Change of Fortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/a-change-of-fortune) Meets Frederick and reacts with envy and bitterness to his inheritance; discusses politics and proposes a journal investment. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-viii) Reunites with Frederick and becomes his secretary, managing his affairs and attempting to influence his political ambitions. ### [Frederick Entertains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/frederick-entertains) Frederick considers housing him but decides against it; invited to the housewarming. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-ix) Reunites with Frederick and discusses political and personal ambitions, serving as a confidant and advisor. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-x) Deslauriers reconnects with Frederick and becomes involved in his social circle, offering advice and commentary. ### [At the Races](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/at-the-races) Deslauriers is briefly recognized by Frederick on the street, adding to his emotional turmoil. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/deslauriers - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters