Character Relationship Map: Aspern

Characters

• Jean Decaux (played by Jean Sorel) — protagonist

  Jean is an expert sent by a French publishing house to Lisbon to obtain unpublished papers belonging to the late novelist Jeffrey Aspern. He rents a room from Juliana Barther under false pretenses, be...

• Mlle Tita (played by Bulle Ogier) — protagonist

  Tita is Juliana Barther's niece, living in seclusion with her aunt. Though described as austere, she becomes friendly with Jean Decaux and helps him investigate the papers he seeks. After Juliana dies...

• Juliana Barther (played by Alida Valli) — supporting

  Juliana is the former mistress of the late novelist Jeffrey Aspern and lives reclusively with her niece, Tita. Believed to possess Aspern's unpublished papers, she rents a room to Jean Decaux, who is...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Mlle Tita → Juliana Barther (Family Niece) — They share a household and are connected as aunt and niece.

  Juliana lives in seclusion with her niece Tita.

Story Dynamics

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

• Jean Decaux → Mlle Tita (Social Friend) — Their personal connection becomes the basis for cooperation.

  Jean develops friendly relations with Tita while staying in the house.

• Jean Decaux → Juliana Barther (Social Tenant And Landlord) — Their household arrangement gives Jean access to the place where the documents may be kept.

  Jean convinces Juliana to rent him a room in her Lisbon house.

Story Analysis

A document hunter enters a secluded household, but personal desire and refusal ultimately destroy the literary prize he seeks.

Plot Progression

1. The Lisbon Assignment — Jean Decaux is sent by a French publishing house to obtain unpublished papers belonging to the deceased novelist Jeffrey Aspern. He identifies Juliana Barther as the likely custodian of the documents.
2. Inside the Secluded House — Jean uses deception to rent a room in Juliana's Lisbon house. He observes Juliana's secluded life with her niece Tita and begins searching for the manuscripts.
3. Trust and Exposure — Jean becomes friendly with Tita, explains his mission, and gains her help. His secret search is exposed when Juliana catches him examining her belongings, forcing him to leave.
4. The Price of the Papers — Jean returns and learns that Juliana has died and that Tita possesses the manuscripts. Tita offers them in exchange for marriage, but Jean refuses and she burns the papers.