Character Relationship Map: Mon Oncle

Characters

• Monsieur Hulot (played by Jacques Tati) — protagonist

  A dreamy, impractical, and unemployed man living in an old city district. He is the beloved uncle of young Gérard, sharing a natural, playful bond with him. Despite his childlike ineffectuality with a...

• Monsieur Arpel (played by Jean-Pierre Zola) — protagonist

  A materialistic father who lives with his family in the ultra-modern, geometric Villa Arpel. He and his wife prioritize social status, possessions, and rigid routines over genuine human comfort. He wo...

• Madame Arpel (played by Adrienne Servantie) — supporting

  A materialistic mother entrenched in a machine-like domestic existence. She and her husband value conspicuous displays, such as activating a fish-shaped garden fountain only for important guests. Like...

• Monsieur Pichard (played by Lucien Frégis) — supporting
• Braces Dealer (played by Régis Fontenay) — supporting
• Betty, Landlord's Daughter (played by Betty Schneider) — supporting
• Walter (played by Jean-François Martial) — supporting
• Working Man (played by Nicolas Bataille) — minor
• Mademoiselle Fevrier (uncredited) (played by Denise Péronne) — minor
• Sweeper (uncredited) (played by André Dino) — minor
• Delivery man / Telegraph operator (uncredited) (played by Pierre Étaix) — minor
• Client in Monsieur Arpel's Factory (uncredited) (played by Jean-Claude Rémoleux) — minor
• House Painter (uncredited) (played by Édouard Francomme) — minor
• Drunken Man (played by Max Martel) — minor
• Ragman (played by Claude Badolle) — minor
• (uncredited) (played by René Lord) — minor
• Short-sighted motorist (uncredited) (played by Nicole Regnault) — minor
• Neighbor (played by Dominique Marie) — supporting
• Georgette, the Housekeeper (played by Yvonne Arnaud) — supporting
• Madame Pichard (played by Adelaide Danieli) — supporting

Story Analysis

A satirical exploration of modern materialism versus traditional human warmth.

Plot Progression

1. The Modern Illusion
2. The Dreamy Contrast
3. Social Friction
4. The Scheming Climax