The Chambermaid Character Analysis

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 a Parisian bookstore; he cautions her against falling in love, gives her a crown coin, and walks her partway home. Talking with her, he learns she works for Madame de R— and states his intention to visit her mistress in the morning. When he fails to keep the appointment, the chambermaid comes to his hotel room at Madame de R—’s request. In his hotel room, Yorick almost succumbs to the temptation to take sexual advantage of the chambermaid but eventually escorts her out instead. This episode reveals the potentially predatory nature of Yorick’s overactive sex drive and his attention to women, which the novel for the most part treats as humorous.