Jouve Character Analysis in The Ladies’ Paradise

Jouve is the watchman at the Ladies’ Paradise, responsible for catching customers robbing the store, and employees engaging in affairs or conspiracies. Many of the salesgirls avoid him, knowing that he has invited girls to his apartment and sexually assaulted them in the past. At one point, he corners Denise and tries to make her accept such an invitation. At the end of The Ladies’ Paradise, he catches Madame de Boves stealing from the store.

Jouve Character Timeline in The Ladies’ Paradise

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

Women, Exploitation, and Power Theme Icon

...her, upset that Denise does not suck up to her authority. While Mouret ignores her, Jouve—the store watchman—treats her with a creepy kindness. Denise puts on a smile during the day... (full context)

...cry, Denise laments that no one at the Ladies’ Paradise is nice to her, except Jouve. Pauline warns Denise not to trust Jouve, then assures her that the salesgirls are treating... (full context)

Noticing Denise’s distress, Pauline pulls her aside to talk. Jouve walks by, and Pauline starts to hide. When Denise asks what there is to fear,... (full context)

...The girls tuck napkins under their chins to protect their dresses and open a window. Jouve—who likes to supervise the girls during meals—walks by. When the girls go back upstairs. Denise... (full context)

When Denise is alone, Jouve comes up to her and smiles paternally. Jouve says that he spotted Denise talking with... (full context)

Denise hears footsteps and sees Jouve coming over to them. Panicking, Denise pushes Jean up the basement steps and out of... (full context)

...they are lost. After searching for the braid, they wind up back at the entrance. Jouve finally directs them to the right department, but meanwhile Valentine has gone to look at... (full context)

...the different types of women who have stolen from the Ladies’ Paradise and points at Jouve, who is pursuing a pregnant woman whom he suspects of stealing. Mouret turns to greet... (full context)

...is with Madame Guibal. The other ladies arrive, accompanied by Mouret, who is saying that Jouve had searched the pregnant woman only to find that her friend had done the stealing... (full context)

Jouve, who is passing by, closes the door, drowning out the sound of the gossiping assistants.... (full context)

...and Bourdoncle—who believes that love is a threat to business—is threatening to fire them both. Jouve comes by, suspicious of Pauline, but goes away when he sees Denise. Pauline goes back... (full context)

...Rumors circulate that Deloche and Hutin were once Denise’s lovers, and Bourdoncle tries to make Jouve—who is now protective of Denise—catch her with one of them. (full context)

...by an open window in a manufacturing room. He withdraws quietly, and alerts Bourdoncle and Jouve. Denise often finds Deloche at this window, which is beside a huge cistern of water.... (full context)

Suddenly, Mouret is standing in in the doorway. Jouve had gone to get him at the new storefront space where he liked to oversee... (full context)

...like black spots on Alpine slopes. As soon as Madame de Boves enters the store, Jouve starts following her. The ladies stop to admire the bunches of white violets being handed... (full context)

Jouve—who has still been spying—whispers for Madame de Boves to follow him. Madame de Boves looks... (full context)

Jouve and Bourdoncle go to a different room while the salesgirls search Madame de Boves. They... (full context)