Thibault

Agnelette

Agnelette is Thibault's pure and devoted love interest, representing innocence and redemption in his life.

Madame Magloire

Madame Magloire is Thibault's mother, who cares for him but is often caught between his ambitions and her own fears.

Landry

Landry is Thibault's rival and antagonist, often clashing with him over status and Agnelette's affections.

Master Wolf

Master Wolf is a supernatural entity that grants Thibault power in exchange for his soul, manipulating his darker impulses.

Lisette

Lisette is a servant in the village who interacts with Thibault as part of daily life, but she is also a witness to his rise.

François

François is a childhood friend of Thibault, but their bond strains as Thibault's ambition grows.

Satan

Satan is the ultimate tempter, using the Master Wolf to bind Thibault in a pact that corrupts his soul.

Madame Polet

Madame Polet is a local merchant or housekeeper who interacts with Thibault in business transactions.

Lord of Vez

The Lord of Vez is a powerful noble who becomes a target of Thibault's revenge and ambition.

Mocquet

Mocquet is a loyal companion to Thibault, though he is often caught in the fallout of Thibault's choices.

Agnelette

Agnelette is Thibault's pure and devoted love interest, representing innocence and redemption in his life.

Agnelette

Agnelette is Thibault's pure and devoted love interest, representing innocence and redemption in his life.

II

Mentioned as the subject of the story the narrator is about to tell.

IV

Mentioned as the former master of Mother Durand, the wolf-leader.

VI

Mentioned as the former owner of the black wolf, which Mocquet claims is the devil.

IX

Implied to be the wolf they are hunting, as Mocquet swears the wolf is Thibault.

The Wolf-Leader

The central figure of the tale, a shoemaker who makes a pact with the Devil.

I: The Grand Master of His Highness' Wolf Hounds

Thibault is introduced as a sabot-maker living in the forest. His past ambitions and travels are detailed, and he is shown returning to his trade and building a hut.

II: The Seigneur Jean and the Sabot-Maker

Hides in an oak tree, is accused of killing the Baron's deer, and is shot out of the tree by the Baron.

III: Agnelette

Poaches on the Baron's land, is punished, and then courts Agnelette, but his motives are tainted by envy and a desire for revenge.

IV: The Black Wolf

Returns home to find the buck in his shed and later confronts the black wolf, making a pact with it.

V: The Pact with Satan

Makes a pact with the black wolf, exchanging his silver ring for a gold one marked with the initials of Thibault and Satan. He uses his first wish to harm the Baron and Marcotte.

VI: The Bedevilled Hair

Attempts to give the wolf's ring to Agnelette, but it refuses to fit her. Discovers a supernatural red hair on his head, which he cannot remove, realizing it is the mark of his pact.

The Boy at the Mill

Hides his red hair and visits the mill, plotting to win Madame Polet and remove Landry.

VIII: Thibault's Wishes

Unconsciously wishes for Landry to be found, proposes to Madame Polet, and is rejected. His curse on a pig causes it to go mad, leading to him being called a werewolf.

IX: The Wolf-Leader

Flees into the forest, is escorted by wolves, discovers his red lock has grown, and begins using the wolves for hunting and selling game.

X: Maître Magloire

Attends the pond drawing, well-dressed and with money. He clumsily steps on Madame Magloire's dress but charms her husband, leading to an invitation to their home.

XI: David and Goliath

Engages in a physical fight with a giant stranger and later dines with the Bailiff, where he is awed by luxury and lies about his wealth.

XII: Wolves in the Sheep Fold

Thibault orchestrates a grand hunt with his wolf pack to provide game for Madame Magloire, then hides in her bedroom, only to discover she has another lover.

XIII: Where It Is Demonstrated That a Woman Never Speaks More Eloquently Than When She Holds Her Tongue

Thibault's jealousy and rage grow as he witnesses Suzanne with the Baron, and he threatens them, but is ultimately forced to leave.

XIV: A Village Wedding

Consumed by jealousy and rage upon seeing Agnelette marry another, he hides in a hollow oak, then retreats to his hut before deciding to seek solace in food and drink.

The Lord of Vauparfond

Dines lavishly at the inn, seeking to display his new wealth and superiority. He drinks heavily to forget Agnelette and curses his fate, wishing to trade places with the Lord of Vauparfond.

My Lady's Lady

Thibault's wish to be the Baron de Vauparfond is fulfilled, swapping bodies with him. He experiences the world as a nobleman, delighting in his new clothes and horse-riding skills, while his peasant instincts and thoughts remain.

XVII: The Baron de Mont-Gobert

Disguised as the Baron de Vauparfond, Thibault is dazzled by the Countess's room and engages in a flirtatious confrontation with her. He is forced to flee when the Comte arrives, and later fights a duel in which he is fatally wounded.

Death and Resurrection

Lying wounded and dying, reflecting on his past and the approaching transformation.

XIX: The Dead and the Living

Escapes his burning hut, confirms the Baron's death, and offers to help the Countess with revenge.

XX: True to Tryst

Wanders homeless, discovers Lestocq's skeleton, finds the Countess dead, and is freed by his wolves.

The Genius of Evil

Thibault confronts Agnelette, threatens her husband, and fully embraces his role as the master of the wolves, leading them in a campaign of destruction. He later saves Agnelette from a wolf, showing a moment of his former humanity.

XXII: Thibault’s Last Wish

Rescues Agnelette from a wolf, later risks capture to see her one last time, and is pursued by villagers.

XXIII: The Anniversary

Transformed into a wolf, he is filled with regret and despair as he confronts the consequences of his pact. He is hunted by the Baron and his hounds.

Hunting Down the Werewolf

As the black wolf, he is hunted by the dogs and reflects on his pact and his love for Agnelette.