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 Tartuffe is absolute and theatrical, and her tirades reveal a woman who mistakes austerity for virtue and control for love. She matters because she doubles Orgon's blindness, making the family's isolation complete and showing that Tartuffe's grip extends across two generations.

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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.

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Character Web

12 connections

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

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.

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

Dorine
professional · negative
Dorine frequently clashes with Madame Pernelle, who dismisses her as impertinent and… How this plays out →
Orgon
family · positive
Damis
family · negative
Elmire
family · negative
The Officer
social · ambivalent
Cléante
family · ambivalent
Mr. Loyal
social · negative
Dorine
professional · negative
Dorine frequently clashes with Madame Pernelle, who dismisses her as impertinent and… How this plays out →
Dorine
professional · negative
Dorine frequently clashes with Madame Pernelle, who dismisses her as impertinent and… How this plays out →
Orgon
family · positive
Damis
family · negative
Elmire
family · negative

Dorine
Dorine frequently clashes with Madame Pernelle, who dismisses her as impertinent and disrespectful.
Orgon
Madame Pernelle is Orgon's mother, and she strongly supports his infatuation with Tartuffe, sharing his blind faith.
Damis
Damis is Madame Pernelle's grandson, and she scolds him for his rebellious attitude toward Tartuffe.
Elmire
Elmire is Madame Pernelle's daughter-in-law, and they have a strained relationship due to differing views on Tartuffe.
The Officer
Madame Pernelle encounters the Officer at the play's climax, where he enforces the King's justice against Tartuffe.
Cléante
Cléante is Madame Pernelle's son-in-law, and he attempts to moderate her extreme views with calm logic.
Mr. Loyal
Madame Pernelle initially defends Tartuffe but later turns against him after witnessing his betrayal.
Dorine
Dorine frequently clashes with Madame Pernelle, who dismisses her as impertinent and disrespectful.
Dorine
Dorine frequently clashes with Madame Pernelle, who dismisses her as impertinent and disrespectful.
Orgon
Madame Pernelle is Orgon's mother, and she strongly supports his infatuation with Tartuffe, sharing his blind faith.
Damis
Damis is Madame Pernelle's grandson, and she scolds him for his rebellious attitude toward Tartuffe.
Elmire
Elmire is Madame Pernelle's daughter-in-law, and they have a strained relationship due to differing views on Tartuffe.

Relationship notes

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

See Madame Pernelle in tartuffe