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The Counterfeiters · Character

Madame Profitendieu

Bernard's mother.

minor

Also known as Profitendieu

First appearance: ii the profitendieus

Madame Profitendieu's tie to Bernard Profitendieu is one of the pressures that moves The Counterfeiters—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Madame Profitendieu first appears in 0004 ii the profitendieus.

With Bernard Profitendieu (family): Bernard discovers he is illegitimate and has a strained, distant relationship with his mother. With Bernard Profitendieu (family): Bernard discovers he is illegitimate and has a strained, distant relationship with his mother. With Bernard Profitendieu (family): Bernard discovers he is illegitimate and has a strained, distant relationship with his mother.

See Madame Profitendieu in ii the profitendieusBook page

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Character Web

12 connections

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

ANAntoineRDRobert de Pass…LDLaura DouviersLBLittle BorisBPBernard Profit…MPMadame Profitendieu

Relationship types

  • Family
  • Other

Character groups

  • Minor Family Members
  • Extended Family and Acquaintances
  • Vedel Pension Circle
  • Protagonist

+7 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

In this chapter, Edouard articulates the "deep-lying subject" of his novel—the rivalry between reality and rep…

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Relationships

Relationship notes

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

See Madame Profitendieu in ii the profitendieus
See Madame Profitendieu in ii the profitendieus
Who is Madame Profitendieu in The Counterfeiters?