# Hector Santien — Short Fiction character guide

> Hector Santien in Short Fiction by Kate Chopin.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Santien, Mr. Santien, Hector Santien

**First appearance:** 0046-at-ch-ni-re-caminada

## Snapshot

A Creole gentleman of restless habits and old-family pride, whose return to the parish stirs up debts, obligations, and the tangled affections of those who know him.

## Who they are

Hector Santien belongs to a name that still carries weight in Natchitoches even as its fortunes thin, and he moves through the parish with the ease of a man who has never quite had to account for himself. His charm is real but unreliable, and the people who love him—relatives, creditors, women—have learned to measure their expectations accordingly. His presence in the stories forces old loyalties and new resentments to the surface, particularly where money and family honor are concerned.

## In the story

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

Eldest of the Santien brothers; left the plantation after it was taken over by Harding & Offdean.

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

Hector is one of the Santien boys, mentioned as part of the trio that caused trouble at school and college.

### [The Maid of Saint Phillippe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/the-maid-of-saint-phillippe)

A young man from the village who tries to persuade Marianne to leave Saint Phillippe and later offers her a home in Saint Louis.

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

Referenced as 'Félix' in the chapter, he is Ma'ame Pélagie's beloved who says goodbye to her before going to war, leaving a lasting emotional wound.

### [In and Out of Old Natchitoches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/in-and-out-of-old-natchitoches)

Suzanne's elegant cousin who escorts her to New Orleans and arranges her lodging with Maman Chavan.

## Links

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