Fiouloulou (Detriaz)

Overview

A young Niçois man, aspiring notary, whose real surname is Detriaz. Marie refers to him by the nickname "Fiouloulou" (sometimes spelled "Fioulouiou"). He is a persistent but unwanted suitor who becomes Audiffret's loyal follower.

Identity

• Full name includes surname Detriaz (revealed in carnet 045: "Fiouloulou-Detriaz")
• Dark-haired ("le noir Niçois")
• Training to become a notary ("le futur notaire")
• Marie earlier referred to him as "clerk" in English

Role in Marie's Circle (1875)

By autumn 1875 (carnet 045), Fiouloulou occupies a specific social role:

• Audiffret's "Figaro": Marie calls him Audiffret's servant/valet, comparing him to the famous Beaumarchais character
• "Suivant-confident": Marie elevates him to the theatrical role of the attendant-confidant
• The faithful one: After Audiffret abandons Marie for Gioia, Fiouloulou is "le seul, le fidèle, l'insignifiant Fiouloulou" — the only one who still attends to Marie
• Minor romantic interest: He "dares to court" Marie, and she tolerates it out of boredom
• Cinderella scene: In a playful incident, Marie's slipper falls down the stairs and Fiouloulou retrieves it — "Cendrillon et le prince charmant!" she notes ironically

Diary References

1874

• April 18: Marie calls him "clerk" — someone she avoids showing herself to at the theater

1875

• Sept 26: Elevated to "suivant-confident"; courts Marie; accompanies Audiffret
• Sept 28: Labeled "personnage secondaire" (secondary character)
• Sept 30: "Le fidèle Fiouloulou" at Marie's carriage during the promenade
• Oct 1: Fiouloulou discusses Marie's "puissance" (power) with her aunt
• Oct 2: Marie notes he is present at the Sapogenikoff soirée; she avoids singing in front of him
• Oct 4: Stays nearly the whole evening at the theater with Marie; asks Olga if she has any message for "Girofla"
• Oct 5: Included in Marie's caricature drawings of the Niçois circle
• Oct 7: "Fidèle Fiouloulou! Pourquoi?"
• Oct 12: First to arrive at the theater; helps Marie into her carriage