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Tartuffe · Character

Madame Pernelle

Orgon's mother, a fierce old prude who storms out of the house rather than endure one word against her beloved Tartuffe.

supporting

Also known as Madame Pernelle Sir, Madame Pernelle Eh, Madame Pernelle Daughter

First appearance: tartuffe

As a supporting figure in Tartuffe, Madame Pernelle is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

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Madame Pernelle sweeps through her son's household like a one-woman inquisition, scolding Elmire's gatherings, Dorine's tongue, and her grandchildren's very existence before flouncing off with her maid. Her devotion to…

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The fuller portrait of Madame Pernelle sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Madame Pernelle in tartuffe

Character Web

12 connections

A slice of how Madame Pernelle sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

DODorineOROrgonDADamisELElmireTOThe OfficerMPMadame Pernelle

Relationship types

  • Professional
  • Family
  • Social

Character groups

  • Main Dramatis Personae
  • Protagonist

+7 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

SetupAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because Orgon’s emotional and psychological peak—his blind, tearful rage aga…

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Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Madame Pernelle in tartuffe