Short Fiction · Character

Félicité

A servant whose whole heart belongs to others—her mistress's children, a pet parrot, and the saints—finding in small devotions an entire life's meaning.

major

First appearance: A Simple Soul

As a major figure in Short Fiction, Félicité is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The protagonist, a simple and devoted servant.

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Félicité runs Madame Aubain's household with quiet authority, turning away importunate visitors and steering children past a fog-hidden bull with a murmured lament and a steady hand on an ox's back. Her only literary education comes from an engraved geography Paul explains to her, and her faith fastens onto whatever is nearest—processions, candles, a parrot she half-believes resembles the Holy Ghost. Her unshakable devotion, offered to creatures who cannot fully return it, gives the story its tender and quietly devastating center.

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See Félicité in A Simple Soul

Character Web

17 connections

A slice of how Félicité sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Protagonist
Félicité's world characters
Secondary and supporting characters

+12 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the psychological peak of tension between Roman aut…

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In the story

Félicité appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Dance of Death
Not present in this chapter.
The Legend of Saint Julian the Hospitaller
Not present in this chapter.
I: The Curse
Not present in this chapter.
II: The Crime
Not present in this chapter.
III: The Reparation
Not present in this chapter.
A Simple Soul
The protagonist, a simple and devoted servant.
I: Félicité
Introduced as the faithful servant of Madame Aubain, known for her hard work, frugality, and unwavering loyalty.
II: The Heroine
Begins service for Madame Aubain, cares for the children, and heroically protects the family from a bull.
III: Death
Deepens her religious devotion, accompanies Virginia to church, mourns Virginia's death, and learns of Victor's death.
IV: The Bird
Grows increasingly isolated; her only companion is the parrot Loulou, whom she treats like a son or lover. After Loulou's death, she has him stuffed and venerates him, blending his image with the Holy Ghost.
V: The Vision
In her death agony, Félicité hallucinates the procession and asks about Loulou before dying.

Chapter companion notes

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See Félicité in A Simple Soul