# Cazeau — Short Fiction character guide

> Cazeau in Short Fiction by Kate Chopin.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Cazeau, Madame Cazeau

**First appearance:** 0052-in-sabine

## Snapshot

A proud, early-rising planter whose fierce love for his young wife curdles into the humiliation of a marriage held together by force.

## Who they are

Cazeau is a man of the land, up before dawn, who married Athénaïse believing her timid maidenly ways meant she returned his passion. When she vanishes in the night, taking gowns and jewels like a prisoner escaping a dungeon, he is left with a terrible sense of loss and the memory of baseness felt beneath the old oak tree. His letter disclaiming any further compulsion marks the story's turning point, as he chooses self-respect over possession.

## In the story

### [Athénaïse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/ath-na-se)

Athénaïse's husband, whose traditional expectations clash with her need for autonomy.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/i)

Husband of Athénaïse, troubled by her absence and their failing marriage.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/ii)

Husband who retrieves his wife Athénaïse from her parents' home; feels offended by her absence and insists on her return.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/iii)

Attempts to reason with Athénaïse, expresses his love and disappointment, and confronts her about Montéclin's interference.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/iv)

Athénaïse's husband, mentioned as the source of her discontent.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/v)

Awakens to find Athénaïse gone; experiences loss and humiliation; writes a letter renouncing force; confronts Montéclin and threatens him.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/viii)

Cazeau is referenced as Athénaïse's husband, who wrote her a letter full of noble sentiments after she left.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/ix)

Mentioned in Athénaïse's thoughts as someone who loved her passionately and offensively, in contrast to Gouvernail.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/x)

Athénaïse's husband; she thinks of him with newfound passion and writes him a letter to announce her return.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/xi)

Receives Athénaïse at the gate and shares a passionate embrace with her.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/characters/cazeau
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/characters