# Polydore — Short Fiction character guide

> Polydore in Short Fiction by Kate Chopin.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mista Polydore

**First appearance:** 0068-polydore

## Snapshot

Called the stupidest boy from Cane River to Natchitoches, he decides one morning to stay in bed and discovers the whole plantation can indeed go on without him.

## Who they are

Polydore works under Mamzelle Adélaïde and old Monsieur José, and his reputation for slowness makes him an easy mark for anyone who wants to convince him he is overworked and abused. One daybreak he simply refuses to rise, claiming a pain in his knee and heel, and watches with philosophical curiosity as the household scrambles around his absence. His small rebellion tests the patience of a mistress who climbs the steep stairs to feel his forehead, and it exposes how much the plantation's order depends on a boy everyone claims not to need.

## Relationships

### [Mamzelle Fleurette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/characters/mamzelle_fleurette)

_family_

Polydore is the nephew of Mamzelle Fleurette, and their relationship is marked by his neglect and her disappointment.

### [Mamzelle Fleurette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/characters/mamzelle_fleurette)

_family_

Polydore is the nephew of Mamzelle Fleurette, and their relationship is marked by his neglect and her disappointment.

## In the story

### [Polydore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/polydore)

Feigns illness to avoid work, leading to his godmother's illness; later confesses his deceit and is forgiven.

## Links

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