A Sentimental Journey Character Analysis

Yorick (The Narrator)

Yorick, the protagonist and narrator, is an English priest. He is sentimental, humorous, and internally contradictory: both prudish and oversexed, both religious and skeptical of organized religion’s hypocrisy. When the novel begins, he abruptly decides… read analysis of Yorick (The Narrator)

La Fleur

La Fleur is Yorick’s French servant, whom Yorick hires in Montriul after having trouble handling his baggage by himself. Prior to working for Yorick, La Fleur served in the French army, where he learned… read analysis of La Fleur

Madame de L—

Madame de L— is a young Flemish woman from Brussels who is about 26 years old and has tan skin and an “interesting” though not beautiful face. Yorick meets her in a coach-yard in Calais… read analysis of Madame de L—

Franciscan Monk (Father Lorenzo)

The Franciscan monk, whose name is later revealed to be Father Lorenzo, is a member of a Catholic religious order that takes a vow of poverty and relies on charity to support itself. Prior to… read analysis of Franciscan Monk (Father Lorenzo)

Count de B****

Count de B**** is an Anglophile French aristocrat—he loves Shakespeare, English literature, and English people. Yorick first learns of the Count when he attempts to buy the Count’s copy of Shakespeare’s complete works, which the… read analysis of Count de B****

The Chambermaid

The chambermaid is a pretty young maid employed by Madame de R—, a Parisian lady to whom Yorick is supposed to deliver a letter from Madame de L—. Yorick first meets the chambermaid in… read analysis of The Chambermaid

Maria

Maria is a beautiful young “madwoman” who lives in the French countryside near Moulines. Yorick seeks her out after having heard about her from his friend Mr. Shandy (who encountered her in Laurence Sterne’s other… read analysis of Maria

Old French Soldier

Yorick meets the old French soldier at the Opera comique in Paris, where they share a box. When they see a tall German man blocking the view of a dwarf, the old French soldier convinces… read analysis of Old French Soldier

Grisset

The grisset (a term for a young French woman of the working class) is a good-looking woman who works in a Paris shop. Yorick asks directions to the Opera comique from her, flirts with her… read analysis of Grisset

Minor Characters

Monsieur Dessein

Monsieur Dessein owns the hotel where Yorick first stays in Calais, France and the coach-yard from which Yorick eventually buys a carriage. While selling Yorick a carriage, Monsieur Dessein keeps darting off and leaving Yorick alone with Madame de L—, which enables Yorick’s flirtation with her.

Eliza

Eliza is Yorick’s beloved back in England, to whom he has sworn to be faithful. Yorick brings a portrait of her on his travels, writes to her, and recalls her when he feels sexually interested in Madame de L— and Maria.

Lady

The 30-year-old lady from Piedmont travels with a maid and is forced to share a room with Yorick overnight when they both stop at an inn with only one room.

Eugenius

Eugenius is Yorick’s friend, who tried to give Yorick additional money for his travels, which Yorick refused. Yorick writes to him from France and thinks of him as a kind of foil, since Eugenius’s common-sense contrasts with Yorick’s own sentimentality and impulsivity.

Madame de R—

Madame de R— (also called Madame R***) is a woman living in Paris who employs a chambermaid and to whom Madame de L— asks Yorick to deliver a letter.

A Sentimental Journey Characters