# Modestine — Travel Essays character guide

> Modestine in Travel Essays by Robert Louis Stevenson.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** the reluctant Modestine

**First appearance:** 0038-travels-with-a-donkey-in-the-c-vennes

## Who they are

A small, mouse-coloured donkey with the patience of a saint and the will of a mule, she carries the narrator and his packs across the Cévennes.

## In the story

### [Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/travels-with-a-donkey-in-the-c-vennes)

The donkey companion of the journey, symbolizing the burdens and companionship of travel.

### [Velay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/velay)

The narrator's donkey, initially slow and stubborn, but responds to the peasant's switch and the 'Proot!' command.

### [The Donkey, the Pack, and the Packsaddle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/the-donkey-the-pack-and-the-packsaddle)

The newly purchased donkey, described as small, mouse-colored, with a kindly eye and determined under-jaw.

### [The Green Donkey-Driver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/the-green-donkey-driver)

The narrator's donkey, initially slow and deceptive, later responds to the peasant's switch but remains difficult to drive.

### [I Have a Goad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/i-have-a-goad)

The narrator's donkey, now controlled with a goad after previous struggles.

### [Upper Gévaudan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/upper-g-vaudan)

The narrator's donkey, who struggles with the terrain and requires constant steering.

### [A Camp in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/a-camp-in-the-dark)

The narrator's donkey, described as haggard, drenched, and despondent, but showing intelligence by quickening her pace when smelling mischief.

### [Cheylard and Luc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/cheylard-and-luc)

The narrator's donkey, suffering from raw forelegs and bleeding under her tail; the narrator feels no affection for her despite her patience.

### [Our Lady of the Snows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/our-lady-of-the-snows)

The narrator's donkey, who shows disaffection for the monastery and is led away to the stables.

### [Father Apollinaris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/father-apollinaris)

The narrator's donkey, who shows reluctance to enter the monastery.

### [Upper Gévaudan (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/upper-g-vaudan-continued)

The narrator's donkey, who resists a shortcut and brays loudly.

### [Across the Goulet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/across-the-goulet)

The narrator's donkey, who stubbornly resists a shortcut, braying and nearly falling over backwards.

### [A Night Among the Pines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/a-night-among-the-pines)

The narrator feeds Modestine and later observes her munching and walking at the length of her tether during the night.

### [The Country of the Camisards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/the-country-of-the-camisards)

The narrator's donkey, who breaks into a trot for the first time during the ascent of the Lozère.

### [Across the Lozère](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/across-the-loz-re)

In high spirits, breaks into a trot for the first time.

### [In the Valley of the Tarn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/in-the-valley-of-the-tarn)

The narrator's reluctant donkey, who is goaded and kicked up to the campsite and fed corn and bread.

### [In the Valley of the Mimente](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/in-the-valley-of-the-mimente)

The narrator's donkey, tied provisionally to a tree while he investigates the camping spot.

### [The Heart of the Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/the-heart-of-the-country)

The narrator's donkey, who is inspired by the moonlight to move more briskly.

### [The Last Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/the-last-day)

Shares a final meal with the narrator on the summit of St. Pierre, eating bread from his hand.

### [Farewell, Modestine!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/farewell-modestine)

The donkey is sold after being pronounced unfit for travel; the narrator reflects on their companionship and her virtues.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/characters/modestine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/characters