Alexandre
Également connu sous : Alexandre
## Identity
Alexandre was one of Marie's uncles, a son of [#Grand_papa](Grand_papa.md). Marie describes him and his wife as forming "un couple excessivement rapace, cupide et heureux" (an excessively rapacious, greedy and happy couple).
## The Marriage to Nadine Martinoff (Book 00)
### The Setup
Alexandre's most notable action in Marie's retrospective preface is his calculated marriage to [#Nadine_Martinoff](Nadine_Martinoff.md), the young orphan adopted by his aunt [#Vassilissa_Babanine](Vassilissa_Babanine.md). When 14-year-old Nadine arrived at Grand-papa's estate at [#Tcherniakovka](Tcherniakovka.md): - She had abandoned her benefactor Vassilissa - She brought with her about 20,000 rubles - Alexandre was described as "très pratique" (very practical) - He "endoctrinated" her ("l'endoctrinait") - Marie adds parenthetically "(elle aussi)" - she too was practical
### The Marriage
They married as soon as Nadine reached 15½ years old. Grand-papa was furious about the marriage, though Marie notes that "presque tous ses fils se sont mariés sans le lui dire" (almost all his sons married without telling him) - suggesting this defiance was typical.
### The Rapacious Couple
Marie's characterization is devastating: "Ça a fait un couple excessivement rapace, cupide et heureux" (That made an excessively rapacious, greedy and happy couple). *Rapace (rapacious): Like a bird of prey, seizing opportunities Cupide (greedy): Focused on money and material gain Heureux* (happy): Content in their mercenary partnership
### Treatment of Vassilissa
After Grand-papa's departure from Tcherniakovka, Alexandre and Nadine: - Relegated Vassilissa (who had adopted and enriched Nadine) to a miserable room - Left her in an old pavilion where she died - Abandoned the woman who had been "belle, riche, jeune, élégante, charmante et spirituelle" in her youth - This despite Vassilissa having been "toujours vénérée" by the family
## Legal Agent (1880)
In October 1880, Alexandre served as the family's legal representative in Russia: - Marie's mother was bound as guarantor for 200,000 rubles in a lawsuit - M. Bashkirtseff (Marie's father) had signed as surety for her - Alexandre went to St. Petersburg to attempt to have this legal constraint lifted - Marie was uncertain whether he would succeed - The complicated Russian legal proceedings could drag on for months This reveals Alexandre's continuing role handling difficult legal and administrative matters for the family.
## Character Analysis
Marie's portrait suggests Alexandre was: *Calculating: "Très pratique" - ruthlessly practical in pursuing advantage Opportunistic: Saw Nadine's 20,000 rubles and acted decisively Manipulative: "Endoctrinated" a 14-year-old girl to secure her fortune Defiant: Married without Grand-papa's permission, part of family pattern Cruel: Relegated his aunt Vassilissa to poverty after profiting from her adopted daughter Reliable*: Despite his character, handled family legal matters competently
## Historical Context
Alexandre's behavior reflects several aspects of 19th century Russian society: *Early Marriage: 15½ was legal and not uncommon, especially with parental defiance Fortune Hunting: Transparent pursuit of Nadine's 20,000 rubles Generational Conflict: Sons regularly defied fathers over marriage choices Family Business: Despite personal conflicts, families relied on members for legal/administrative work Provincial Morality*: Actions that would scandalize in capitals were tolerated in provincial estates
## Related People
- [#Nadine_Martinoff](Nadine_Martinoff.md) - His young wife, married for her fortune - [#Vassilissa_Babanine](Vassilissa_Babanine.md) - His aunt, whom he betrayed - [#Grand_papa](Grand_papa.md) - His father, who was furious about the marriage - [#Maman](Maman.md) - His sister, Marie's mother
## Related Places
- [#Tcherniakovka](Tcherniakovka.md) - Grand-papa's estate where the marriage scheme unfolded - St. Petersburg - Where he handled legal matters in 1880
## Marie's Perspective
Marie includes Alexandre's story as an example of family ruthlessness and mercenary calculation. The detail that he and Nadine were "heureux" (happy) in their greed suggests her contempt - they were content with their moral compromises. The betrayal of Vassilissa - relegating to poverty the very woman whose adopted daughter enriched Alexandre - exemplifies the family's capacity for ingratitude and cruelty.