Character Relationship Map: Nana

Characters

• Comte Muffat (played by Charles Boyer) — protagonist

  A faithful Catholic husband and trusted aide of the Emperor who pursues Nana with perseverance and heavy expenditure. He makes her his exclusive mistress, suffers the loss of his wife and daughter's f...

• Nana (played by Martine Carol) — supporting

  A performer at a downmarket Parisian theatre who supplements her income through romantic assignations. She rises to become Muffat's exclusive mistress and later prepares to depart for Italy with the r...

• Bordenave (played by Paul Frankeur) — supporting

  A theater figure who discusses Nana's admirers and debts and later offers her a leading role in a new play. When Nana says Comte Muffat forbids her to return to the stage, Bordenave suggests asking hi...

• Comtesse Muffat (played by Elisa Cegani) — supporting

  Comte Muffat's wife, whose daughter's marriage is celebrated at court. She looks toward renewed closeness with her husband and hopes their marriage might recover its youthful happiness, but his growin...

• Napoléon III (played by Jean Debucourt) — supporting

  The emperor whom Comte Muffat addresses when announcing his intention to resign from court life. Muffat explains that his conscience will not allow him to support the government's political course, es...

• Steiner (played by Noël Roquevert) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Nana → Steiner (Romantic Former Lover) — Nana is prepared to move on from Steiner, whose continued presence is also a concern in her relationship with Muffat.

  The account describes Steiner among Nana's former lovers and wealthy suitors, and says she is ready to leave him behind. Muffat promises to keep Stein...

• Nana → Bordenave (Professional Theater Manager And Performer) — Bordenave seeks to bring Nana back to the stage, while her relationship with Muffat complicates the proposed production.

  Bordenave offers Nana a leading role in a new play and discusses financing the production through Comte Muffat. Nana says Muffat forbids her to return...

• Comte Muffat → Napoléon III (Professional Court Official And Emperor) — Muffat is a court official who announces his intention to leave the Emperor's service over political principles.

  Comte Muffat tells Napoléon III that he intends to resign from court service because his conscience will not let him support the government's politica...

• Comte Muffat → Comtesse Muffat (Family Estranged Spouses) — The Comtesse hopes to renew their closeness, while Muffat's involvement with Nana undermines their marriage.

  The account identifies Comtesse Muffat as Comte Muffat's wife. She hopes their marriage may regain its youthful happiness, but his attachment to Nana...

• Comte Muffat → Nana (Romantic Obsessive Lover) — Muffat's devotion turns into an exclusive and financially costly attachment, while Nana resists being treated as someone who can simply be bought.

  Comte Muffat becomes devoted to Nana, admits that his feelings have overcome his conscience, and promises to resolve her financial troubles. Nana's gr...

Story Analysis

A court official's attachment to a celebrated actress entangles desire, money, marriage, and the possibility of returning to the theater.

Plot Progression

1. From Court to Nana's Circle — Muffat announces his intention to resign over the government's political course and leaves court life. He then enters Nana's world, where her admirers, debts, and resistance to being bought are establ...
2. Muffat's Conscience Gives Way — Muffat admits that his feelings for Nana have overcome his conscience and arranges an intimate dinner. He promises to solve her financial troubles and keep Steiner out of her life.
3. A Marriage Pulled Apart — The Muffats' daughter's marriage is celebrated, and the Comtesse hopes to restore closeness with her husband. Muffat's attachment to Nana frustrates that hope as gossip connects Nana with losses to hi...
4. The Stage Calls Again — Nana insists that her mansion and jewelry are paid for and denies owing money to her carriage driver. Bordenave offers her a leading role, but Muffat's opposition and the question of financing leave h...