# Frederick Moreau — Sentimental Education character guide > Frederick Moreau in Sentimental Education by Gustave Flaubert. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Frederick, Frederick Lemaitre, Alfred de Dreux **First appearance:** 0007-chapter-i ## Snapshot 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. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Madame Arnoux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/madame_arnoux) _romantic_ Frederick harbors an idealized, obsessive, and ultimately unfulfilled romantic love for Madame Arnoux throughout the novel. ### [Deslauriers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/deslauriers) _friendship_ Deslauriers is Frederick's childhood friend and confidant, but their relationship is marked by envy, rivalry, and mutual disillusionment. ### [Hussonnet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/hussonnet) _friendship_ Hussonnet is a bohemian journalist and friend who accompanies Frederick through Parisian social circles, often as a cynical observer. ### [Rosanette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/rosanette) _romantic_ Frederick has a passionate but shallow affair with Rosanette, a courtesan, using her as a substitute for his true love. ### [Mademoiselle Vatnaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/mademoiselle_vatnaz) _social_ Mademoiselle Vatnaz is an acquaintance and a friend of Rosanette, with whom Frederick interacts frequently in social settings. ### [Regimbart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/regimbart) _friendship_ Regimbart is a political bohemian and friend who frequents the same cafes as Frederick, representing idle revolutionary talk. ### [Pellerin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/pellerin) _friendship_ Pellerin is a struggling artist and friend who tries to paint Frederick's portrait and represents artistic pretension. ### [Martinon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/martinon) _friendship_ Martinon is a fellow student and friend, though Frederick views him as a dull and conventional rival in society. ### [M. de Cisy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/m_de_cisy) _rivalry_ M. de Cisy is an aristocratic rival who competes with Frederick for social status and romantic attention, leading to a duel. ### [Jacques Arnoux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/jacques_arnoux) _friendship_ Jacques Arnoux is Madame Arnoux's husband and Frederick's friend, though Frederick secretly desires his wife. ### [Dussardier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/dussardier) _friendship_ Dussardier is a loyal, honest, and idealistic friend who admires Frederick and remains faithful to him through political turmoil. ### [Madame Arnoux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/madame_arnoux) _romantic_ Frederick harbors an idealized, obsessive, and ultimately unfulfilled romantic love for Madame Arnoux throughout the novel. ## In the story ### [Sentimental Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/sentimental-education) Protagonist; experiences a transformative encounter with Madame Arnoux on the steamboat. ### [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) The protagonist, a young man returning home after studies, filled with romantic idealism and ambition. ### [Volume I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/volume-i-m-walter-dunne-new-york-and-london-copyright-1904-by-m-walter-dunne-publisher) The protagonist, introduced at the beginning of his journey. ### [The Steamboat Encounter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/she-wore-a-wide-straw-hat-with-red-ribbons-which-fluttered-in-the-wind-behind-her) Observes Madame Arnoux for the first time on the steamboat. ### [ILLUSTRATIONS](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/illustrations) The recipient of the kiss and emotional encouragement. ### [Sentimental Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/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.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-i) The protagonist, an eighteen-year-old returning home after his studies, filled with romantic idealism and ambition. ### [A Promising Pupil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/a-promising-pupil) The protagonist, a young man returning home, who becomes infatuated with Madame Arnoux after meeting her on the steamboat. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-ii) Returns to Nogent after inheriting a fortune, reflects on his past and future. ### [Damon and Pythias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/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.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/sentiment-and-passion) Struggles with idleness and unrequited love; writes to Deslauriers, attends law lectures, and spies on Arnoux at the theater. ### [CHAPTER IV.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-iv) Returns to Paris with his inheritance, begins hosting social gatherings, and rekindles his pursuit of Madame Arnoux. ### [The Inexpressible She!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-v) Frederick inherits a fortune and moves into a new mansion, hosting dinners and engaging with various social circles. ### [Love Knoweth No Laws.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/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.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-vi) Inherits a fortune and returns to Paris, reconnecting with old friends and entering high society. ### [Blighted Hopes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/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!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/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.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-vii) Returns to Paris with his inheritance, rekindles friendships, and pursues his romantic interests. ### [A Change of Fortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/a-change-of-fortune) Returns to Paris after inheriting a fortune; visits the Arnoux family and reconnects with Deslauriers; searches for Regimbart. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-viii) Returns to Paris after inheriting a fortune, sets up a new household, and reconnects with his circle of friends. ### [Frederick Entertains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/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.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/chapter-x) Frederick inherits a fortune and moves into a new mansion, reconnecting with friends and navigating his social ambitions. ### [At the Races](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/chapters/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. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters/frederick_moreau - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sentimental_education_se/characters