"The Scapegoat" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In René Girard's novel "The Scapegoat," the characters play distinct roles that contribute to the overall storyline and themes. The protagonist, Jean-Baptiste, finds himself caught in a web of mistaken identity when he encounters his doppelgänger, Gérard, who becomes the antagonist of the story. The supporting characters, Françoise, Marie, Luc, and Aimée, add depth and complexity to the narrative.

Character Descriptions

• Jean-Baptiste: Jean-Baptiste is a middle-aged history professor who leads a solitary and unfulfilling life. He is introspective and lacks self-confidence. Physically, he is described as tall with thinning hair and glasses.
• Gérard: Gérard is Jean-Baptiste's doppelgänger and a successful businessman. He is charismatic, confident, and manipulative. Gérard is physically identical to Jean-Baptiste, which becomes a central plot point in the story.
• Françoise: Françoise is a kind and caring woman who works as a nurse. She is attracted to Jean-Baptiste and becomes emotionally involved in his life.
• Marie: Marie is Gérard's wife, an elegant and sophisticated woman. She initially confuses Jean-Baptiste for her husband, leading to a complicated dynamic between the characters.
• Luc: Luc is Jean-Baptiste's alcoholic brother. He struggles with his addiction and often relies on Jean-Baptiste for support.
• Aimée: Aimée is a young woman who becomes infatuated with Jean-Baptiste. She represents innocence and vulnerability in the story.

Character Traits

• Jean-Baptiste: Jean-Baptiste is intelligent but lacks self-assurance. He is introspective, analytical, and often overthinks situations. He is compassionate and empathetic towards others.
• Gérard: Gérard is confident, manipulative, and opportunistic. He is willing to exploit others for personal gain. He is charismatic and adept at persuading people to do his bidding.
• Françoise: Françoise is caring, compassionate, and nurturing. She is selfless in her actions and genuinely cares for Jean-Baptiste.
• Marie: Marie is elegant, sophisticated, and poised. She is initially drawn to Jean-Baptiste due to his resemblance to her husband, but later develops a genuine connection with him.
• Luc: Luc is troubled and dependent on alcohol. He is often unreliable and struggles with his emotions. Despite his flaws, he cares deeply for his brother.
• Aimée: Aimée is young, naive, and impressionable. She becomes infatuated with Jean-Baptiste and idealizes him.

Character Background

• Jean-Baptiste: Jean-Baptiste is a history professor who has dedicated his life to academia. He has never married and lives a solitary existence. He feels disconnected from society and longs for more fulfilling relationships.
• Gérard: Gérard is a successful businessman who has built a prosperous life for himself. He is married to Marie and enjoys the finer things in life. However, he harbors a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction.
• Françoise: Françoise is a nurse who has dedicated her life to caring for others. She is divorced and has experienced her fair share of disappointments in love. She is drawn to Jean-Baptiste's vulnerability and seeks to help him find happiness.
• Marie: Marie is a sophisticated woman who comes from a wealthy background. She married Gérard for security and social standing but feels unfulfilled in her marriage.
• Luc: Luc is Jean-Baptiste's younger brother, who has struggled with alcohol addiction for many years. His addiction has strained his relationship with Jean-Baptiste and caused him to hit rock bottom on several occasions.
• Aimée: Aimée is a young woman who works as a waitress. She comes from a modest background and yearns for a better life. She is captivated by Jean-Baptiste's intellect and sees him as an escape from her current circumstances.

Character Arcs

• Jean-Baptiste: Jean-Baptiste's encounter with Gérard sparks a transformative journey for him. Initially overwhelmed by the situation, he gradually gains confidence and begins to assert himself. He confronts his own insecurities and learns to embrace life's uncertainties.
• Gérard: Gérard's arc revolves around his realization that his success and material wealth have left him unfulfilled. He becomes obsessed with Jean-Baptiste's life and desires what he perceives as a simpler, more authentic existence.
• Françoise: Françoise's arc centers around her growing affection for Jean-Baptiste. She starts off as a caring friend but soon develops romantic feelings for him. Her journey involves navigating her own emotions and finding the courage to express her love.
• Marie: Marie's arc is one of self-discovery and dissatisfaction with her marriage. Through her interactions with Jean-Baptiste, she begins to question her choices and desires a deeper connection in her life.
• Luc: Luc's arc revolves around his struggle with alcoholism. He hits rock bottom but finds redemption through his relationship with Jean-Baptiste. He seeks forgiveness and attempts to rebuild his life.
• Aimée: Aimée's arc is one of infatuation and disillusionment. She initially idolizes Jean-Baptiste but eventually realizes that her idealized image of him does not align with reality.

Relationships

• Jean-Baptiste and Gérard: The relationship between Jean-Baptiste and Gérard is central to the story. They share an uncanny physical resemblance, which leads to mistaken identities and a complex power dynamic.
• Jean-Baptiste and Françoise: Françoise becomes emotionally involved in Jean-Baptiste's life and provides him with much-needed support and care. Their relationship evolves from a friendship to a potential romantic connection.
• Jean-Baptiste and Marie: Jean-Baptiste's resemblance to Marie's husband creates a complicated dynamic between them. They develop a connection based on mutual understanding and a shared sense of longing.
• Jean-Baptiste and Luc: Jean-Baptiste's relationship with his troubled brother, Luc, is strained due to Luc's addiction. However, they find reconciliation and support each other on their respective journeys.
• Jean-Baptiste and Aimée: Aimée's infatuation with Jean-Baptiste adds another layer of complexity to the story. Their relationship explores themes of innocence, disillusionment, and the consequences of idealization.

Overall, "The Scapegoat" delves into the intricacies of identity, human relationships, and the search for authenticity. The characters' arcs and relationships contribute to the exploration of these themes, making for a compelling and thought-provoking read.