Madame Gaillard Character Analysis in Perfume

The woman who cares for Grenouille after he was rejected by Jeanne Bussie. She runs a home for orphan children. Madame Gaillard's father hit her in the face as a child, and as such she has no sense of smell and doesn't experience much range of emotion. As such, she isn't aware that Grenouille doesn't smell. Her primary concern is making sure she can afford to die at home, but she suffers the unfortunate fate of dying in a public hospital after losing her fortune during the French Revolution.

Madame Gaillard Character Timeline in Perfume

The timeline below shows where the character Madame Gaillard appears in Perfume. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...He quickly thinks of where the infant could go, and settles on the home of Madame Gaillard , just outside the city. He carries Grenouille there and pays a year in advance.... (full context)

Upward Mobility and Social Movement Theme Icon

Madame Gaillard , while not yet 30, has already lived her entire life. As a girl her... (full context)

Madame Gaillard 's establishment is a blessing for Grenouille. He thrives despite poor nourishment, a variety of... (full context)

Grenouille's lack of scent or soul doesn't bother Madame Gaillard , as she can neither smell nor experience emotion, but the other children immediately realize... (full context)

Creative Genius vs. Convention and Assimilation Theme Icon

Madame Gaillard begins to notice that Grenouille has potentially supernatural qualities, such as being able to detect... (full context)

Madame Gaillard walks Grenouille to the tanner Grimal, who is always in need of cheap labor to... (full context)

The narrator says that since Madame Gaillard will not appear again, we should find out how she dies. She lived to be... (full context)