EN
Classical literature

Journey to the End of the Night

fr. Voyage au bout de la nuit · 1932
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Main Characters and Their Development

  • Ferdinand Bardamu - The main character and narrator, a cynical and disillusioned man who undergoes numerous trials, starting with World War I, continuing through travels in Africa and America, and ending with his return to Paris. His worldview is shaped by the cruelty and absurdity of the world around him.
  • Léon Robinson - Bardamu's friend, whom he encounters at various points in his journey. Robinson represents the opposite of Bardamu: he is more enterprising and adventurous but also faces disappointments and failures.
  • Lola - An American nurse with whom Bardamu has an affair during his stay in New York. She symbolizes for him the unattainable dream of a better life.
  • Molly - A prostitute with whom Bardamu lives for a time in Paris. She helps him survive, but their relationship lacks true intimacy and understanding.
Journey to the End of the Night
Date of publication: 20 June 2024
———Original titlefr. Voyage au bout de la nuit · 1932