Henri Deloche Character Analysis in The Ladies’ Paradise

Henri Deloche is a salesman at the Ladies’ Paradise who applies for his job at the same time that Denise does. He and Denise become friends and discover that they grew up in the same rural village. Deloche develops feelings for Denise, but she only ever considers him a friend. At the end of the novel, Deloche is fired for incompetence.

Henri Deloche Character Timeline in The Ladies’ Paradise

The timeline below shows where the character Henri Deloche appears in The Ladies’ Paradise. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Women, Exploitation, and Power Theme Icon

...are both waiting to hear the verdict. They blush. The man introduces himself as Henri Deloche, and they wish each other good luck. (full context)

...department one day. And, during the winter off-season, the salesmen and salesgirls flirt more regularly. Deloche often smiles shyly at Denise. Although her femininity is aroused by all this activity, only... (full context)

Outside, Henri Deloche appears and wishes them good evening. Denise, feeling the need for support, takes his arm... (full context)

...snoring porter and a light in the ladieswear department. In the lace department, she encounters Deloche, who sleeps there on a cot. She runs back to the hallway. (full context)

...that the girls are seeing her with her brothers, but they don’t believe her. When Deloche hears the rumor, he wants to punch the girls; he has become very protective of... (full context)

...Robineau is back. He complains again about the beef and jokes about giving it to Deloche, who has a huge appetite. (full context)

...vanity. When Mouret passes, Denise hides, her heart beating. Occasionally she runs into Pauline and Deloche, but she keeps both of them from seeing where she lives. Colomban often visits Denise,... (full context)

...Bourras for giving her a job, but she wants to find better-paying work. One day, Deloche suggests she work for Robineau, who has bought Vinçard’s business. He did so with the... (full context)

One evening, Denise runs into Deloche. He says that he is happy that she’s coming back, and then tells her that... (full context)

Meanwhile, Pauline tells Deloche that Mouret asked Denise to dinner. Deloche then tells Lienard, with whom he had become... (full context)

...after Bouthemont’s position, while Favier is after Hutin’s. Favier tells Hutin about his encounter with Deloche in the café and says that Denise received a letter from Mouret asking her to... (full context)

...the better his staff were fed, the harder they would work. Favier, Mignot, Lienard, and Deloche line up at the hatch and ask for chicken. They wait while one of the... (full context)

...assistants pass around the loaf of bread and complain that they all got chicken legs. Deloche, who is always hungry, picks at his chicken neck and stares at Favier. Favier is... (full context)

The assistants get on the subject of Denise and Mouret. Looking at Deloche, Favier says that Mouret is not the first person Denise has been with. Deloche throws... (full context)

...them kissing, and Pauline asks her not to tell anyone. Leaving the dining hall last, Deloche comes up to Pauline, Baugé, and Denise and scolds Pauline for telling Lienard about Mouret’s... (full context)

...for dinner at her uncle’s. Everyone is shocked to learn that she declined Mouret’s invitation. Deloche is relieved, but Pauline can’t believe that Denise turned down her fortune. (full context)

...well-oiled machine, so he looks for a reason to have her fired. Rumors circulate that Deloche and Hutin were once Denise’s lovers, and Bourdoncle tries to make Jouve—who is now protective... (full context)

...contemptuous of money. Then, Bourdoncle tells him that Denise is having affairs with Hutin and Deloche. Mouret tells Bourdoncle that he needs proof, pretending only to care about keeping peace among... (full context)

Two days later, Hutin catches Denise and Deloche standing by an open window in a manufacturing room. He withdraws quietly, and alerts Bourdoncle... (full context)

Denise hushes Deloche, thinking she hears footsteps. When no one comes, Deloche continues confessing his feelings. Eventually, Denise... (full context)

...chapel”—is very crowded. Madame de Boves, after walking around for a while with Blanche, commands Deloche to pile the finest lace on the counter. Blanche sees Madame de Boves plunge her... (full context)

...she eventually signs the paper. She leaves in a huff while Bourdoncle prepares to fire Deloche. (full context)

Just then, Denise appears. Having just heard of Deloche’s dismissal, she is sad and is worried that she won’t be brave enough to resist... (full context)