Eugenie Grandet

Main Characters and Their Development

• Eugenie Grandet - the main heroine of the novel, daughter of the wealthy winemaker Felix Grandet. At the beginning of the book, she is portrayed as a naive and modest girl, completely submissive to her father's will. However, as the plot develops, Eugenie shows strength of character and independence, especially after meeting her cousin Charles. She undergoes deep emotional changes, becoming a more mature and independent woman.
• Felix Grandet - Eugenie's father, a wealthy and miserly winemaker. He is depicted as a cruel and calculating man who values money above all else. His greed and cruelty have a profound impact on Eugenie's life and the lives of other characters. Ultimately, his stinginess leads to tragic consequences for his family.
• Charles Grandet - Eugenie's cousin, who comes to them after his father's bankruptcy. Initially, he is portrayed as a frivolous and spoiled young man, but under Eugenie's influence, he begins to change. Their love becomes a significant element of his development, yet his ambitions and pursuit of wealth ultimately lead to a break with Eugenie.
• Nanon Corno - the servant in the Grandet household, who is devoted to the family and especially to Eugenie. She plays the role of an observer and commentator on the events occurring in the house. Her loyalty and kindness contrast with Felix Grandet's cruelty and stinginess.
• Guillaume Grandet - Felix Grandet's brother and Charles's father. His bankruptcy and subsequent suicide become the catalyst for the events that bring Charles to Felix's home. His tragic fate underscores the harshness and ruthlessness of the world in which the characters live.