# Mademoiselle Duphot — The Well of Loneliness character guide

> Mademoiselle Duphot in The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the poor Mademoiselle Duphot, Kind Mademoiselle Duphot

**First appearance:** 0003-book-i

## Who they are

A kind French governess who teaches Stephen as a child.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

A youthful French governess with a horse-like face; she is lonely and homesick, and confides in Stephen about her mother and sister.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii)

Protests that gymnastics and fencing thicken the ankles, and is horrified by Stephen's announcement.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii)

Praises Stephen's fencing and gymnastics, admires her grace and power, and indulges her physical culture craze.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv)

Must leave Stephen to return to Paris and care for her aging mother; replaced by a governess who can teach Greek and Latin.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v)

The kind and emotional governess departs for Paris, weeping openly and giving Stephen her sister's address. Her departure marks the end of Stephen's irresponsible childhood.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

Her departure from Morton is mentioned as the precursor to the innovations.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii)

Stephen's former governess, now middle-aged and stout, who joyfully recognizes Stephen and shares updates about her life.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii)

Visits Stephen in Paris; asks about Stephen's parents and is troubled by the news of Sir Philip's death and Stephen's separation from her mother.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv)

Hosts Stephen and Puddle, explains her sister Julie's blindness and the miracle of Thérèse, and shows the picture of the young nun.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v)

Hosts Stephen and Puddle; enjoys sweets and studies booklets on Saint Thérèse; develops a real sympathy with Puddle.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii)

Weeps at parting with Stephen, prays for France, and embodies the pious spirit of the time.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii)

The kind former teacher who recalls Stephen's naughty but dear childhood; expresses warmth toward Mary and approval of their arrangement.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as one of Mary's few friends in Paris, along with Julie.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as one of the early acquaintances of Stephen and Mary in Paris.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

Visited less often by Stephen and Mary; she remains kind but unaware of their true nature.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/mademoiselle_duphot
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters