The Old Wives’ Tale · Character

Monsieur Chirac

A kind, impecunious French journalist who befriends Sophia in Paris, treating executions as psychological experience and life as something decided in a moment.

supporting

Also known as Chirac, Mr. Chirac, The little Chirac

First appearance: III: An Ambition Satisfied

As a supporting figure in The Old Wives’ Tale, Monsieur Chirac is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A frequent guest at the pension, involved in the daily life of Sophia's new establishment.

In the storyBook III: SophiaOpen this moment free

See Monsieur Chirac in Book III: Sophia Book page

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Chirac is the sincere, comfortingly gentle Frenchman in Gerald's bohemian circle, forever pronouncing his adjectives with enthusiasm and proposing that one attend a guillotining to observe oneself. He moves through Paris with a casualness that astonishes Sophia — trains caught by seconds, plans made over coffee, old clothes donned for a journey to Auxerre. Through him Sophia glimpses a world where nothing is timetabled a week in advance, and where kindness and improvidence live in the same man.

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See Monsieur Chirac in III: An Ambition Satisfied

Character Web

15 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Sophia's Paris circle
Bursley shop and family
Minor and background characters
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this excerpt, Sophia reaches an emotional and psychological low point of apathy and entrapment, loathing he…

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In the story

Monsieur Chirac appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Book III: Sophia
A frequent guest at the pension, involved in the daily life of Sophia's new establishment.
II: Supper
Chirac gallantly escorts Sophia home after Gerald abandons her, displaying manners that Sophia finds more wonderful than any she had imagined.
III: An Ambition Satisfied
Chirac is a thoughtful, kindly man who helps Sophia endure the dinner and is invited to lunch by Gerald.
A Crisis for Gerald
Visits Sophia to recover money Gerald borrowed from his employer's cashbox; accepts repayment from Sophia.
Fever
Referenced as the one who brought Sophia to the flat; Sophia wonders about his whereabouts and his role in her situation.
VI: The Siege
Chirac returns from an expedition, urges Sophia to leave Paris, but his eyes betray a different desire.
VII: Success
Departs on a balloon mission, expressing romantic devotion to Sophia.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Monsieur Chirac unlock in the free preview.

See Monsieur Chirac in III: An Ambition Satisfied

See Monsieur Chirac in Book III: Sophia