# Madame Maraud — Short Fiction character guide

> Madame Maraud in Short Fiction by Ivan Bunin.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Madame Maraud Emile, Emile, Son Madame Maraud

**First appearance:** 0001-short-fiction

## Snapshot

A widow whose household brightens when a young poet begins visiting, she must gently refuse a devotion she can only return as a mother.

## Who they are

After a funeral brings Emile Du-Buis into her orbit, Madame Maraud finds her days livelier, her walk lighter, and her voice more tender — a small, half-innocent pleasure in being the center of a young man's attention. When his passion spills over into hysterics and confessions, she calls him 'son' and asks him not to put her in a ridiculous position, feeling almost maternal even as she recognizes what he wants. Her quiet dignity and the pity she feels for him define the story's delicate balance between affection and refusal.

## Relationships

### [Constantine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_30_se/characters/constantine)

_romantic_

Constantine and Madame Maraud share a passionate, possibly illicit romantic entanglement with high emotional intensity.

### [Olga Meschersky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_30_se/characters/olga_meschersky)

_social_

Madame Maraud and Olga Meschersky are acquaintances, possibly from the same social circles or school environment.

### [Constantine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_30_se/characters/constantine)

_romantic_

Constantine and Madame Maraud share a passionate, possibly illicit romantic entanglement with high emotional intensity.

### [Olga Meschersky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_30_se/characters/olga_meschersky)

_social_

Madame Maraud and Olga Meschersky are acquaintances, possibly from the same social circles or school environment.

### [Constantine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_30_se/characters/constantine)

_romantic_

Constantine and Madame Maraud share a passionate, possibly illicit romantic entanglement with high emotional intensity.

## In the story

### [Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_30_se/chapters/son)

The object of Emile's affection, who begins to see him as a son and later becomes consumed by longing for a son.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_30_se/characters/madame_maraud
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_30_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_30_se/characters