Character Relationship Map: A Simple Heart

Characters

• Félicité (played by Sandrine Bonnaire) — protagonist

  Félicité is the central figure, a devoted servant who works for Mathilde Aubain and becomes deeply attached to her household. After Théodore breaks his promise to marry her, she pours her affection in...

• Mathilde Aubain (played by Marina Foïs) — supporting

  Mathilde Aubain hires Félicité to care for her children and manage her household. Félicité serves her devotedly and grows attached to the family as the children leave home. Mathilde later passes a par...

• Théodore (played by Pascal Elbé) — supporting

  Théodore meets Félicité while she is working in the countryside and charms her with promises of marriage and a journey to the sea. A friend later tells Félicité that Théodore has left to marry a wealt...

• Fabu (played by Michaël Abiteboul) — supporting

  Fabu helps care for Félicité as her health worsens. When it is discovered that rain leaks into her old room, Félicité is moved to a more comfortable one. Fabu’s practical assistance supports her in he...

• Paul Aubain (played by Swann Arlaud) — supporting

  Paul Aubain is Mathilde’s son and one of the children Félicité cares for as part of her household duties. He is sent to boarding school as he grows up, and his departure is one of the changes that gra...

• Le copain de Théodore (played by Nicolas Bonnefoy) — minor

  A friend of Théodore tells Félicité that Théodore has left to marry a wealthier woman. This news reveals that Théodore will not keep his promises to Félicité and leaves her heartbroken, leading her to...

• Victor enfant (played by Romain Scheiner) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Félicité → Victor enfant (Family Aunt And Nephew) — Félicité is deeply attached to her nephew and is devastated by his departure and the scarcity of his later letters.

  The plot says Félicité welcomes visits from her nephew, Victor, and begs him to stay when he announces that he is leaving for America.

• Félicité → Mathilde Aubain (Professional Employer And Devoted Servant) — Félicité serves Mathilde's household and forms a deep attachment to the family as the children grow up and leave.

  Mathilde Aubain hires Félicité to care for her children and manage the household; Félicité remains devoted to the family.

• Félicité → Théodore (Romantic Abandoned Suitor) — Théodore's broken promises leave Félicité heartbroken and shape her search for work and lasting attachments.

  Théodore charms Félicité with promises of marriage and taking her to the sea; she later learns he has left to marry a wealthier woman.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Félicité → Paul Aubain (Social Caregiver And Child) — Félicité cares for Mathilde's son before his life takes him away to boarding school.

  Félicité is hired to care for Mathilde Aubain's children, and the plot specifies that Mathilde's son goes to boarding school.

• Félicité → Fabu (Social Caregiver And Patient) — Fabu supports Félicité during her declining health.

  The plot says Fabu helps care for Félicité as her health worsens.

• Félicité → Le copain de Théodore (Narrative Bearer Of Bad News) — The friend delivers the news that ends Félicité's hope of marrying Théodore.

  A friend tells Félicité that Théodore has left to marry a wealthier woman.

Story Analysis

Félicité's life is shaped by loss, devoted service, and the few attachments she preserves as her world grows quieter.

Plot Progression

1. Broken Promises and New Service — Félicité meets Théodore and believes his promises of marriage, only to learn that he has left for a wealthier woman. She then finds work with Mathilde Aubain and devotes herself to the household.
2. A Family Drifts Away — The children grow up and leave parts of Félicité's daily life behind. Her nephew Victor visits, but his announcement that he is leaving for America brings another painful separation.
3. The Parrot's Importance — A parrot passed from Mathilde to Félicité becomes a cherished companion and recalls people and memories from her past. When it goes missing, Félicité searches desperately and is found after taking lau...
4. Decline and Quiet Devotion — Félicité recovers, but her health worsens and she becomes deaf. With Fabu's help and a more comfortable room, she continues to hold fast to the parrot as her world grows quieter.