Sentimental Education · Character

Frederick Moreau

A law student from Nogent-sur-Seine who arrives in Paris hungry for beauty and status, and finds both embodied in a woman he can never quite have.

major

Also known as Frederick, Frederick Lemaitre, Alfred de Dreux

First appearance: CHAPTER I.

As a major figure in Sentimental Education, Frederick Moreau is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Protagonist; experiences a transformative encounter with Madame Arnoux on the steamboat.

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Frederick drifts through the capital's salons, studios, and cafés, forever on the verge of the brilliant life he believes he deserves. His inheritance evaporates, his ambitions stay vague, and his passion for Madame Arnoux hardens into the organizing principle of his existence. He is the novel's great procrastinator—a man whose feelings are immense and whose actions are always postponed—and through him Flaubert measures the gap between romantic longing and the ordinary compromises of a life.

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See Frederick Moreau in CHAPTER I.

Character Web

27 connections

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Relationship types

Romantic
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Protagonist
Frederick's Parisian Circle
Nogent and Bourgeois Society

+22 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional/psychological peak occurs when Rosanette directly names Madame Arnoux, shattering Frederick’s se…

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Relationships

Madame Arnoux
romantic · ambivalent
Frederick harbors an idealized, obsessive, and ultimately unfulfilled romantic love for… How this plays out →
Deslauriers
friendship · ambivalent
Hussonnet
friendship · ambivalent
Rosanette
romantic · ambivalent
Mademoiselle Vatnaz
social · negative
Regimbart
friendship · ambivalent
Pellerin
friendship · ambivalent
Martinon
friendship · ambivalent
M. de Cisy
rivalry · negative
Jacques Arnoux
friendship · ambivalent
Dussardier
friendship · positive
Madame Arnoux
romantic · ambivalent
Frederick harbors an idealized, obsessive, and ultimately unfulfilled romantic love for… How this plays out →

Madame Arnoux
Frederick harbors an idealized, obsessive, and ultimately unfulfilled romantic love for Madame Arnoux throughout the novel.
Deslauriers
Deslauriers is Frederick's childhood friend and confidant, but their relationship is marked by envy, rivalry, and mutual disillusionment.
Hussonnet
Hussonnet is a bohemian journalist and friend who accompanies Frederick through Parisian social circles, often as a cynical observer.
Rosanette
Frederick has a passionate but shallow affair with Rosanette, a courtesan, using her as a substitute for his true love.
Mademoiselle Vatnaz
Mademoiselle Vatnaz is an acquaintance and a friend of Rosanette, with whom Frederick interacts frequently in social settings.
Regimbart
Regimbart is a political bohemian and friend who frequents the same cafes as Frederick, representing idle revolutionary talk.
Pellerin
Pellerin is a struggling artist and friend who tries to paint Frederick's portrait and represents artistic pretension.
Martinon
Martinon is a fellow student and friend, though Frederick views him as a dull and conventional rival in society.
M. de Cisy
M. de Cisy is an aristocratic rival who competes with Frederick for social status and romantic attention, leading to a duel.
Jacques Arnoux
Jacques Arnoux is Madame Arnoux's husband and Frederick's friend, though Frederick secretly desires his wife.
Dussardier
Dussardier is a loyal, honest, and idealistic friend who admires Frederick and remains faithful to him through political turmoil.
Madame Arnoux
Frederick harbors an idealized, obsessive, and ultimately unfulfilled romantic love for Madame Arnoux throughout the novel.

Relationship notes

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See Frederick Moreau in CHAPTER I.

In the story

Frederick Moreau appears across 28 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Sentimental Education
Protagonist; experiences a transformative encounter with Madame Arnoux on the steamboat.
Or, The History of a Young Man
The protagonist, a young man returning home after studies, filled with romantic idealism and ambition.
Volume I
The protagonist, introduced at the beginning of his journey.
The Steamboat Encounter
Observes Madame Arnoux for the first time on the steamboat.
ILLUSTRATIONS
The recipient of the kiss and emotional encouragement.
Sentimental Education
The protagonist, a young man driven by romantic idealism and social ambition, whose life is marked by his unrequited love for Madame Arnoux.
CHAPTER I.
The protagonist, an eighteen-year-old returning home after his studies, filled with romantic idealism and ambition.
A Promising Pupil
The protagonist, a young man returning home, who becomes infatuated with Madame Arnoux after meeting her on the steamboat.
Chapter II
Returns to Nogent after inheriting a fortune, reflects on his past and future.
Damon and Pythias
Frederick is reunited with his friend Deslauriers, feeling both inspired and uncertain about his future. He is still preoccupied with his literary and artistic passions, and his recent encounter with Madame Arnoux lingers in his mind.
CHAPTER III.
Returns to Paris with his new fortune, rekindles friendship with Deslauriers, and pursues his interests in Madame Arnoux and Rosanette.
Sentiment and Passion
Struggles with idleness and unrequited love; writes to Deslauriers, attends law lectures, and spies on Arnoux at the theater.
CHAPTER IV.
Returns to Paris with his inheritance, begins hosting social gatherings, and rekindles his pursuit of Madame Arnoux.
The Inexpressible She!
Frederick is torn between his admiration for Arnoux and his disgust at his vulgarity, while his obsession with Madame Arnoux deepens. He prepares for a dinner at Arnoux's, neglecting his friend Deslauriers.
Chapter V
Frederick inherits a fortune and moves into a new mansion, hosting dinners and engaging with various social circles.
Love Knoweth No Laws.
Deeply in love with Madame Arnoux, he struggles with his unrequited passion and feels tormented by his inability to act on his feelings.
CHAPTER VI.
Inherits a fortune and returns to Paris, reconnecting with old friends and entering high society.
Blighted Hopes
Devastated by the loss of his expected inheritance, he oscillates between despair and fantasies of greatness, then is elated by the sudden inheritance from his uncle.
Laugh then! shed no more tears! be happy!
Inherits a fortune, decides to live in Paris and pursue diplomacy, bids farewell to Louise Roque.
CHAPTER VII.
Returns to Paris with his inheritance, rekindles friendships, and pursues his romantic interests.
A Change of Fortune
Returns to Paris after inheriting a fortune; visits the Arnoux family and reconnects with Deslauriers; searches for Regimbart.
Chapter VIII
Returns to Paris after inheriting a fortune, sets up a new household, and reconnects with his circle of friends.
Frederick Entertains
Buys a mansion, visits Madame Dambreuse, calls on Madame Arnoux, and plans a housewarming.
Chapter: Then she seized him by the ears and kissed him.
Pursues Rosanette, comforts Madame Arnoux, and decides to seek a career through M. Dambreuse.
Chapter IX
Returns to Paris with his inheritance, rekindles friendship with Deslauriers, and pursues his interests in Madame Arnoux and social advancement.
The Friend of the Family
Becomes a parasite in the Arnoux household, torn between love for Madame Arnoux and timidity; agrees to help with Arnoux's financial crisis.
Chapter X
Frederick inherits a fortune and moves into a new mansion, reconnecting with friends and navigating his social ambitions.
At the Races
Frederick experiences jealousy, conflicting desires, and a sense of irreparable loss as he observes Madame Dambreuse and recalls Madame Arnoux, while being drawn to Rosanette.

Chapter companion notes

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See Frederick Moreau in CHAPTER I.

See Frederick Moreau in Sentimental Education