Topsy-Turvy · Character
Alcide Pierdeux
A French engineer attending the polar auction for the sheer fun of it, whose sharp eye and sharper pen may prove more dangerous than any cannon.
supporting
Also known as Engineer Alcide Pierdeux, Pierdeux
First appearance: in which the delegates from england holland sweden denmark and russia are presented to the reader
As a supporting figure in Topsy-Turvy, Alcide Pierdeux is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Introduced as a brilliant French engineer and mathematician, a graduate of the polytechnic school, who has come to Baltimore to satisfy his curiosity about the N.P.P.A.'s project.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
With President Barbicane (professional): Pierdeux serves as a mathematical expert and consultant to Barbicane, providing critical calculations for the project. With J. T. Maston (friendship): Pierdeux and Maston share a…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Alcide Pierdeux sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Alcide Pierdeux in in which the delegates from england holland sweden denmark and russia are presented to the readerCharacter Web
6 connectionsA slice of how Alcide Pierdeux sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Professional
- Friendship
- Other
Character groups
- Gun Club & Allies
- Protagonist
- Polar Auction Delegates
+1 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it reveals the terrifying confirmation that J.T. Maston’s calculat…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- President Barbicane
professional · positive
Pierdeux serves as a mathematical expert and consultant to Barbicane, providing critical… How this plays out →
- J. T. Maston
friendship · positive
- President Barbicane
professional · positive
Pierdeux serves as a mathematical expert and consultant to Barbicane, providing critical… How this plays out →
- J. T. Maston
friendship · positive
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Alcide Pierdeux in in which the delegates from england holland sweden denmark and russia are presented to the readerIn the story
Alcide Pierdeux appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- In Which Appears the French Gentleman to Whom We Referred at the Beginning of This Truthful Story
- What Was Found in the Notebook of J. T. Maston and What It No Longer Contained
- At the Close of Which J. T. Maston Utters an Epigram
- In Which a Crowd of Dissatisfied People Break Into the Cell of J. T. Maston
- What Had Been Done at Kilimanjaro During Eight Month of This Memorable Year
- In Which J. T. Maston Regrets That the Crowd Did Not Lynch Him When He Was in Prison
- In Which This Story, as Truthful as It Is Improbable, Is Finished
- Very Short, Since Enough Has Been Said to Make the World’s Population Feel Perfectly Sure Again
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Alcide Pierdeux unlock in the free preview.
See Alcide Pierdeux in in which the delegates from england holland sweden denmark and russia are presented to the reader