M. Dupont Character Analysis in The Remains of the Day

A Frenchman whom Lord Darlington and Sir David Cardinal manage to convince to attend their unofficial international “conference” in March 1923. It seems initially that he is under the influence of Mr. Lewis, but he ultimately reveals himself to be a gentleman of an older persuasion, who finds Mr. Lewis’s attempt to sway him unsportsmanlike.

M. Dupont Character Timeline in The Remains of the Day

The timeline below shows where the character M. Dupont appears in The Remains of the Day. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...present at Darlington Hall. Finally they secured the attendance of one, whom Stevens dubs “M. Dupont.” (full context)

Authenticity, Performance, and Self-Deception Theme Icon

...someone saying that the fate of Europe could hang on the ability to bring M. Dupont around on a certain point. (full context)

Class Difference and Social Change Theme Icon

...Unless, he added, his father had come up with an entirely new factor—something on the Dupont fellow, for instance. Suddenly Stevens realized that he’d made no progress, but before he could... (full context)

History, Retrospection and Regret Theme Icon

At one point, though, Mr. Lewis told the group that Dupont hates Germans with a depth they’d find it hard to understand. While Darlington said that... (full context)

...Cardinal responded that he hadn’t had much time to appreciate the surroundings, and now M. Dupont had arrived in a horrible mood. Surprised, Stevens said he must hurry off, though he... (full context)

M. Dupont was tall and elegant, with a monocle, wearing the kind of costume reserved for gentlemen... (full context)

M. Dupont remained sullen and silent. At one point he stood and followed Stevens, asking him to... (full context)

That evening, Stevens overheard a conversation between Mr. Lewis and M. Dupont; he’d gone to the latter’s room and waited a second at the door before knocking—an... (full context)

The next day, the discussions seemed to become increasingly heated, though M. Dupont continued to say little. Meanwhile, Stevens’s father had grown no better or worse. On the... (full context)

As conversation was resuming, M. Dupont rose to his feet, and gave a toast to their host, Darlington. He went on... (full context)

Then, M. Dupont said he believes in frankness, and that one must openly condemn anyone who has come... (full context)

...Mr. Lewis stood and, his voice thick with alcohol, said he won’t waste time on Dupont’s words. He said that he, too, wants to be frank and he called the gentlemen... (full context)

Stevens saw Miss Kenton signaling him and he began toward the door when M. Dupont asked him to find fresh bandages. Dupont followed Stevens out the door, and Stevens said... (full context)

...Miss Kenton wanted to talk to him. She told him Dr. Meredith had arrived, and Dupont, who’d followed Stevens out, exclaimed in relief. Stevens led Dupont to the billiard room, then... (full context)