At the ’Cadian Ball Character Analysis

Calixta

Calixta is a young, unmarried woman who is part of an Acadian community in Louisiana. She is the love interest of Bobinôt, an Acadian farmer, and also briefly enjoys the attention of Alcée… read analysis of Calixta

Alcée Laballière

Alcée Laballière is a young, rich, and handsome Creole planter. He loves Clarisse, his mother Madame Laballière’s goddaughter, and is attracted to Calixta, a young Acadian woman from town. Towards the beginning… read analysis of Alcée Laballière

Bobinôt

Bobinôt is an Acadian farmer who is desperately in love with Calixta. Certain descriptions in the story indicate that he appears to be rather coarse and awkward: he is “dull-looking and clumsy,” and at… read analysis of Bobinôt

Clarisse

Clarisse is a beautiful, young Creole woman—“dainty as a lily; hardy as a sunflower; slim, tall, graceful, like one of the reeds that grew in the marsh.” She is the goddaughter of Madame Laballière and… read analysis of Clarisse

Minor Characters

Bruce

Bruce is Alcée’s “old negro” manservant. He is the one who informs Clarisse that Alcée went to the ball.

Fronie

Fronie is a young woman in the Acadian community who is close friends with Calixta. She and Calixta once fought about a lover, but the two are now reconciled.

Ozéina

Ozéina is a young woman in the Acadian community. The story hints that she is in love with Bobinôt and “would marry him to-morrow.”

Madame Suzonne

Madame Suzonne is an older woman in the Acadian community who disapproves of Calixta and her lack of restraint.

Madame Laballière

Madame Laballière is Alcée’s mother and Clarisse’s godmother.