Celeste is Undine Spragg’s French maid. She hints at how upper-class New York life is only possible due to the largely unseen work performed by servants, and her foreign background also represents how globalized the world was becoming—at least for the wealthy who could afford easy trips between the U.S. and Europe.
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Celeste Character Timeline in The Custom of the Country
The timeline below shows where the character Celeste appears in The Custom of the Country. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2
Undine then calls over her French maid, Celeste, to help her pick an outfit. Although she has an extensive wardrobe, she doesn’t feel...
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Chapter 4
...to be down at breakfast, since she usually wakes up too late and just has Celeste bring her chocolate in bed. Undine’s request surprises her parents; her father asks if orchestra...
(full context)
