Character Relationship Map: Les Arnaud

Characters

• Judge Henri Arnaud (played by Bourvil) — protagonist

  Henri Arnaud is a generous bachelor who serves as a judge in the juvenile court of Aix-en-Provence. He sees through André's attempts to deceive the police and pursues him relentlessly. Though André in...

• André Arnaud (played by Salvatore Adamo) — supporting

  André is a law student with little money who befriends Judge Henri Arnaud. After borrowing money from an unscrupulous antique dealer who threatens to blackmail him, André kills the man and tries to ev...

• Michel Dieudonné (played by Xavier Fonty) — supporting

  Michel is André's boxing partner and is accused in connection with Josseron's murder. Henri helps secure his release, and a dentist's signed statement supports the account that Michel's mother borrowe...

• Mrs Bouvier, the landlady (played by Suzanne Courtal) — supporting

  Mrs Bouvier is André's landlady. He lives in a rented room, struggles to pay the rent, and relies on her for meals. Her role in the account illustrates André's financial hardship and his dependence on...

• Belle Arnaud, the judge's sister (played by Marcelle Ranson-Hervé) — supporting

  Belle is Judge Henri Arnaud's sister and André's aunt. At the end of the excerpt, André returns home asking to speak to his father, but Belle is the one who greets him and introduces herself as his au...

• Nelly Raynaud (played by Gisèle Grandpré) — supporting

  Nelly visits Judge Henri Arnaud and proposes marriage. He declines, explaining that he remains haunted by a past love and believes there is something more complicated between them. Nelly leaves hopefu...

• Josseron, the antique dealer (played by Michel de Ré) — supporting

  The antique dealer is a dubious lender from whom André borrows money when he has few resources. He is ready to blackmail André, and André kills him. The plot summary gives him this role in the events...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Belle Arnaud, the judge's sister → Judge Henri Arnaud (Family Siblings) — Belle is Henri's sister and is present at the family home when André arrives.

  Belle introduces herself as Henri's sister when André returns home and asks to speak with his father.

• Judge Henri Arnaud → Michel Dieudonné (Professional Legal Advocate) — Henri helps Michel obtain release from the accusation, and Michel promises to stop playing poker after his acquittal.

  Michel is accused in connection with Josseron's murder, and Henri becomes involved in securing his release. Michel is acquitted.

• Nelly Raynaud → Judge Henri Arnaud (Romantic Marriage Suitor) — Nelly hopes Henri may change his mind after he refuses her proposal.

  Nelly visits Henri and proposes marriage. Henri declines, saying he remains haunted by a past love and believes their situation is more complicated.

• Judge Henri Arnaud → André Arnaud (Family Father) — André seeks his father at home, establishing Henri as his father; the available excerpt does not resolve their relationship further.

  André returns home and asks to speak to his father, Judge Henri Arnaud. Belle introduces herself as André's aunt.

Story Dynamics

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

• André Arnaud → Josseron, the antique dealer (Conflict Borrower And Murder Victim) — Their lending relationship becomes coercive according to the character profile, ending in Josseron's murder; the excerpt leaves André's connection to the crime uncertain.

  The character profile states that André borrowed money from Josseron, who was ready to blackmail him, and that André killed him. The excerpt identifie...

• André Arnaud → Mrs Bouvier, the landlady (Social Landlord And Tenant) — Mrs Bouvier provides André with a room and meals while he struggles financially.

  André lives in a rented room, owes rent, and relies on his landlady, Mrs Bouvier, for meals.

• André Arnaud → Michel Dieudonné (Social Boxing Partners) — They box together, and the routine becomes relevant when André is questioned about his whereabouts.

  André rides through town before boxing with Michel. During questioning, André initially says he usually boxes at the time of the murder but cannot ide...

Story Analysis

A murder investigation unfolds alongside Henri's family and legal connections, while André's uncertain account leaves his possible involvement unresolved.

Plot Progression

1. A Strained Daily Routine — André cycles through town, boxes with Michel, and struggles to pay rent. Henri is introduced through his judicial work.
2. Nelly's Unanswered Proposal — Nelly asks Henri to marry her, but he refuses, citing a past love and a complicated bond. She leaves hopeful that he may reconsider.
3. The Murder and Michel's Case — Josseron's murder puzzles the police because money was left behind. Michel is accused, but a signed statement helps support his release and he is acquitted.
4. Clues Point Toward Aix — The missing money is returned by mail, and a damaged typewriter key becomes a possible clue. Investigators question people at the university despite student protests.
5. André's Uncertain Alibi — André is questioned about his whereabouts and realizes he did not box on the day of the murder. He returns home asking for Henri and meets Belle instead.