# Old Amable — Short Fiction character guide > Old Amable in Short Fiction by Guy de Maupassant. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Old Amable, father Amable, Only old Amable **First appearance:** 0003-short-fiction ## Snapshot An aging peasant who catches his own reflection and suddenly understands what time has taken from him. ## Who they are Old Amable is a stubborn man of the fields, set in his ways and slow to see what his family sees. One night, candle in hand, he passes the big looking-glass and finds an old man with grey hair staring back — a wreckage he had never noticed. The memory of little Lise and of being young and loved returns with it, and the story turns on that unbearable gap between the man he remembers and the man in the glass. ## In the story ### [How the Dean Placed His Hopes in Eclecticism, the Doctor in Revelation and the Warden in Digestion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/v-how-the-dean-placed-his-hopes-in-eclecticism-the-doctor-in-revelation-and-the-warden-in-digestion) The Warden, who advocates for eclecticism and epicureanism, and ultimately claims to believe only in digestion. ### [A Dinner and Some Ideas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/ix-a-dinner-and-some-ideas) Aged copying clerk known for his absurd doctrines; he sparks controversy with his anarchist and skeptical views. ### [A Christmas Eve Festival](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/a-christmas-eve-festival) The deceased shepherd, aged ninety-six, whose body is placed in a bread bin by his grandchildren. ### [The Wooden Shoes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/the-wooden-shoes) Adélaïde's father, the old peasant Malandain, who orchestrates her employment and later marriage. ### [A Surprise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/a-surprise) Referenced indirectly as the abbé Loisel, the narrator's uncle and guardian, a stern priest who raises the narrator and his brother. ### [A Vendetta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/a-vendetta) The widow Saverini, referred to as 'the mother' and 'Mother Saverini', is the protagonist who orchestrates the vendetta. ### [The Avenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/the-avenger) M. Souris, the deceased first husband, is the object of Leuillet's obsessive ridicule and jealousy. ### [Military Honors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/military-honors) Nicholas Pichon, called 'Longlegs,' is the old forester and Berthine's father, who goes to fetch the militia. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/i) Introduced as the tavern-keeper Antoine Mâcheblé, nicknamed 'Toine, Brulot, and 'Toine-Ma-Fine; a famously large and jovial man. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/ii) Referred to as 'Toine-Ma-Fine, a paralyzed tavern-keeper who remains jovial but is dominated by his wife. ### [The Woodcocks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/the-woodcocks) The deaf-mute shepherd, also called Gargan, who kills his wife for adultery and is acquitted. ### [Old Amable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/old-amable) The titular character, an elderly peasant resistant to change. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/i) Deaf, obstinate, and avaricious; opposes the marriage because of the cost of raising another man's child, but yields to the priest's persuasion. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/ii) Césaire's father, who resents Céleste and the child, and after his son's death becomes a bitter, dependent figure in the household. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/iii) Attends the Assemblée, drinks, returns home to find Victor Lecoq in his son's place, and later hangs himself. ### [The Farmer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/the-farmer) Master Lebrument, the farmer and former orderly, who faithfully delivers his wife's deathbed confession. ### [The Drowned Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/the-drowned-man) Local elder who provides information about the drowned man and the community's dynamics. ### [Boitelle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/boitelle) Boitelle's father, who is initially hesitant and ultimately rejects the idea of his son marrying a Black woman. ### [After](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/after) Not present; placeholder to avoid empty array. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/characters/old_amable - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/characters