Antoine Doinel

Antoine Doinel

5
    The 400 Blows
Photo Credit: Everett Collection

Character Analysis

(Avoiding Spoilers)

Grew Up... in 1950’s Paris. Antoine is coming of age in a gritty, unglamorous world, with very little to occupy a troubled, bored, and misunderstood adolescent. If something doesn’t change he’s going to end up being raised not by his family, but by the streets. Not that the streets are much worse.

Living… with his mother and father, Gilberte and Julien. They don’t much like him, and they don’t try to hide that fact. Mostly they neglect him, but on the rare occasion they pay attention, it’s mostly to punish him. His father especially expects nothing from Antoine but trouble. Antoine asks for 1,000 francs lunch money, only to hear, “Therefore you hope for 500. Therefore you need 300. Here's 100.”

Profession… reluctant student. At school Antoine acts out. He gets into trouble often – plagiarizing, making fun of the teacher, and ditching class. He’s often punished, but that’s no different than home.

Interests… raising hell. Antoine steals, skips school, and runs away from home. What else is there to do? It’s not like anyone is paying attention.

Relationship Status… single. At 12, Antoine is nearing the age when girls usually start to catch a boy’s attention. However, he doesn’t know many, and doesn’t seem to be looking for them.

Challenge… overcoming his situation. There is a certain inevitability to Antoine’s life and actions. He is good for nothing, or so everyone tells him. So he goes off and does what he wants, lying and thieving. Thus when these actions get him in trouble, it reinforces the belief that Antoine is good for nothing, leading him to keep playing the part of a good-for-nothing. Hopefully Antoine will find a way to break this vicious cycle.

Personality… rebellious and disobedient. His parents think he’s a liar, and he admits, “I lie now and then, I suppose. Sometimes I'd tell them the truth and they still wouldn't believe me, so I prefer to lie.” The consequences for lying and telling the truth are exactly the same. If Antoine is going to be a successful adult, it will be in spite of his environment, not because of it.

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