Shorts from Scenes from Private Life · Character
Derville
A shrewd and discreet Parisian lawyer whose intimate knowledge of his clients' secrets makes him both confidant and witness to their tragedies.
major
Also known as M. Derville, Monsieur Derville, dear M. Derville
First appearance: Gobseck
As a major figure in Shorts from Scenes from Private Life, Derville is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Narrates the story of Gobseck, describing his character and business dealings.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Derville moves through the drawing-rooms and back offices of Restoration Paris with the quiet authority of a man who knows where the money and the skeletons are buried. Trusted by the great families who retain him, he…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Derville sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Derville in GobseckCharacter Web
65 connectionsA slice of how Derville sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Professional
- Other
Character groups
- Protagonist
- Parisian social web
- Family and pride
+60 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Climax.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this excerpt, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when the Vicomtesse de Grandlieu directly confron…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Madame de Beauséant
professional · positive
Derville, as a lawyer, manages legal affairs for Madame de Beauséant, maintaining a… How this plays out →
- Colonel Chabert
professional · positive
- Count Férédia
professional · positive
- Madame de Beauséant
professional · positive
Derville, as a lawyer, manages legal affairs for Madame de Beauséant, maintaining a… How this plays out →
- Madame de Beauséant
professional · positive
Derville, as a lawyer, manages legal affairs for Madame de Beauséant, maintaining a… How this plays out →
- Colonel Chabert
professional · positive
- Count Férédia
professional · positive
- Colonel Chabert
professional · positive
- Count Férédia
professional · positive
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Derville in GobseckIn the story
Derville appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Derville unlock in the free preview.
See Derville in Gobseck