# Edouard — The Counterfeiters character guide > Edouard in The Counterfeiters by André Gide. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Uncle Edouard, X, Edouard X **First appearance:** 0010-viii-edouard-and-laura ## Snapshot A novelist who keeps a journal of everything around him, trying to live and write without ever quite committing to either. ## Who they are Edouard is uncle to Olivier, guardian-in-spirit to Bernard, and the diarist whose notebook gives the novel its shifting, self-aware texture. He is generous, curious, and maddeningly detached — he confesses his 'thirst' to anticipate and his inability to come to terms with it, and he treats the people he loves as material he might one day shape into a novel. His habit of watching rather than acting makes him both the book's conscience and its most evasive figure. ## Relationships ### [Olivier Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/olivier_molinier) _psychological_ Edouard is both a mentor and an object of intense fascination for Olivier, with a complex mix of paternal affection and latent romantic tension. ### [Bernard Profitendieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/bernard_profitendieu) _professional_ Bernard becomes Edouard's secretary and protégé, developing a respectful but somewhat formal bond. ### [Laura Douviers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/laura_douviers) _romantic_ Edouard and Laura share a past romantic attachment and a lingering, tender affection despite her marriage. ### [Robert de Passavant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/robert_de_passavant) _rivalry_ Edouard and Robert de Passavant are literary and personal rivals, each vying for influence over Olivier. ### [Olivier Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/olivier_molinier) _psychological_ Edouard is both a mentor and an object of intense fascination for Olivier, with a complex mix of paternal affection and latent romantic tension. ### [Bernard Profitendieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/bernard_profitendieu) _professional_ Bernard becomes Edouard's secretary and protégé, developing a respectful but somewhat formal bond. ### [Olivier Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/olivier_molinier) _psychological_ Edouard is both a mentor and an object of intense fascination for Olivier, with a complex mix of paternal affection and latent romantic tension. ### [Laura Douviers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/laura_douviers) _romantic_ Edouard and Laura share a past romantic attachment and a lingering, tender affection despite her marriage. ### [Robert de Passavant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/robert_de_passavant) _rivalry_ Edouard and Robert de Passavant are literary and personal rivals, each vying for influence over Olivier. ### [Laura Douviers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/laura_douviers) _romantic_ Edouard and Laura share a past romantic attachment and a lingering, tender affection despite her marriage. ### [Bernard Profitendieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/bernard_profitendieu) _professional_ Bernard becomes Edouard's secretary and protégé, developing a respectful but somewhat formal bond. ### [Robert de Passavant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/robert_de_passavant) _rivalry_ Edouard and Robert de Passavant are literary and personal rivals, each vying for influence over Olivier. ## In the story ### [The Counterfeiters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/the-counterfeiters) Bernard's uncle, whose suitcase Bernard steals to finance his departure. ### [III: Bernard and Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/iii-bernard-and-olivier) Olivier's uncle, a writer, arriving from England; Olivier plans to meet him at the station. ### [Vincent Meets Passavant at Lady Griffith’s](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/v-vincent-meets-passavant-at-lady-griffith-s) Mentioned as returning to France by ship, rereading Laura's letter of appeal. ### [VIII: Edouard and Laura](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/viii-edouard-and-laura) Reading Passavant's book on the train, rereading Laura's letter, and reflecting on his journal about his feelings for Laura. ### [IX: Edouard and Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/ix-edouard-and-olivier) Meets Olivier at the station; struggles to express his joy and affection, feeling insecure about his age and Olivier's reception. ### [X: The Cloakroom Ticket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/x-the-cloakroom-ticket) Walks with Olivier, drops the cloakroom ticket; his suitcase is taken by Bernard. ### [XI: Edouard’s Journal: George Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xi-edouard-s-journal-george-molinier) Narrates the chapter, reflecting on his encounter with George and his feelings for Olivier. ### [Edouard's Journal: Laura's Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xii-edouard-s-journal-laura-s-wedding) Narrates the journal entry; reflects on Douviers, Laura's wedding, and his artistic identity. ### [XIII: Edouard’s Journal: First Visit to La Pérouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xiii-edouard-s-journal-first-visit-to-la-p-rouse) Narrator of the journal; visits La Pérouse and reflects on his own feelings for Olivier. ### [XIV: Bernard and Laura](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xiv-bernard-and-laura) Arrives at Laura's hotel, comforts her, and interviews Bernard about the stolen suitcase; agrees to consider Bernard as a secretary. ### [XVIII: Edouard’s Journal: Second Visit to La Pérouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xviii-edouard-s-journal-second-visit-to-la-p-rouse) Narrator of the journal; loses and recovers his suitcase; visits Laura and La Pérouse; accepts responsibility for La Pérouse's bond and grandson. ### [Part II: Saas-Fée](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/part-ii-saas-f-e) Present in Saas-Fée, discussing his novel theory and interacting with Bernard and Laura. ### [From Bernard to Olivier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/i-from-bernard-to-olivier) Travels with Bernard and Laura to Switzerland; Bernard praises his kindness and interesting conversation. ### [II: Edouard's Journal: Little Boris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/ii-edouard-s-journal-little-boris) Narrator of the journal; observes Boris and Bronja, converses with Sophroniska, reflects on novel-writing. ### [III: Edouard Explains His Theory of the Novel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/iii-edouard-explains-his-theory-of-the-novel) Expounds his theory of the novel, discussing freedom from realism, the influence of Nietzsche, and the idea of a novel without a subject; reveals the title 'The Counterfeiters' but is vague about its meaning. ### [Bernard and Laura](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/iv-bernard-and-laura) Discussed as an elusive figure; Laura describes him as Proteus-like, constantly forming and unforming; Bernard considers working as his secretary. ### [Edouard's Journal: Conversation with Sophroniska](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/v-edouard-s-journal-conversation-with-sophroniska) Narrates the journal entry; debates Sophroniska about mysticism, realism, and Boris's cure; proposes sending Boris to Azaïs's school. ### [From Olivier to Bernard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/vi-from-olivier-to-bernard) Discusses Bernard's plan, feels humiliated by Bernard's eloquence, and is hurt by Olivier's letter which seems to forget him. ### [VII: The Author Reviews His Characters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/vii-the-author-reviews-his-characters) The author criticizes Edouard's imprudence in confiding Boris to Azaïs, his self-deception, and his curiosity that may turn to cruelty. ### [I: Edouard’s Journal: Oscar Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/i-edouard-s-journal-oscar-molinier) Narrator of the journal; meets Molinier and records their conversation. ### [II: Edouard’s Journal: At the Vedels’](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/ii-edouard-s-journal-at-the-vedels) Narrator and observer; visits the Vedels, lends money to Rachel, and reflects on the family's hypocrisy and burdens. ### [III: Edouard’s Journal: Third Visit to La Pérouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/iii-edouard-s-journal-third-visit-to-la-p-rouse) Visits La Pérouse, tries to comfort him, and arranges for his move to Azaïs's school. ### [V: Olivier Meets Bernard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/v-olivier-meets-bernard) Olivier seeks out Edouard to confess his troubles, but finds him out. Edouard is also mentioned as being at Olivier's mother's house. ### [VI: Edouard's Journal: Madame Molinier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/vi-edouard-s-journal-madame-molinier) The journal-keeper and confidant; he listens to Pauline's confessions and inadvertently raises the suspicion that George stole Oscar's letters. ### [The Argonauts’ Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/viii-the-argonauts-dinner) Arrives with Bernard and Sarah; questions Olivier about his milieu and confronts Passavant. ### [Olivier and Edouard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/ix-olivier-and-edouard) Finds Olivier unconscious, revives him, learns of his suicide talk from Bernard, and cares for him. ### [X: Olivier’s Convalescence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/x-olivier-s-convalescence) Caring for Olivier; receives Laura's letter about Felix's planned challenge; discusses lyrical inspiration and incarnation with Bernard. ### [XI: Edouard's Journal: Pauline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xi-edouard-s-journal-pauline) Narrator of the journal; hosts Olivier and receives Pauline's visit; reflects on Pauline's state of mind and his own feelings. ### [XII: Edouard and Then Strouvilhou Visit Passavant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xii-edouard-and-then-strouvilhou-visit-passavant) Visits Passavant to collect Olivier's things, feeling joy and benevolence but struggling to maintain a cold demeanor. ### [XIII: Edouard’s Journal: Douviers’ Profitendieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xiii-edouard-s-journal-douviers-profitendieu) Narrates his journal; experiences creative euphoria while writing The Counterfeiters, receives visits from Douviers and Profitendieu, and reads his work to Olivier. ### [XV: Bernard Visits Edouard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xv-bernard-visits-edouard) Receives Bernard, informs him of his father's visit, and offers advice on living without external rules. He discusses art and the novel. ### [XVI: Edouard Warns George](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xvi-edouard-warns-george) Visits the pension, speaks with La Pérouse, and warns George about his thefts and counterfeiting. ### [XX: Edouard's Journal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/chapters/xx-edouard-s-journal) Narrates his journal, refusing to use Boris's suicide in his novel; visits La Pérouse and reflects on the aftermath of the suicide. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters/edouard - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_counterfeiters_se/characters