Camille Timeline and Summary

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Camille Timeline and Summary

  • Camille is a frail, sickly child whose mother constantly showers him with attention. Nobody is surprised when he grows up to be a spoiled brat. Except maybe his mom, Madame Raquin. 
  • Thérèse and Camille tie the knot. But he feels no sexual desire toward her. Or maybe toward anyone—given that he's such a weak person and all. 
  • Soon, Camille decides he wants to move to Paris to find a new job. When he is hired at the Orléans Railroad Company, he runs into his childhood friend Laurent.
  • Laurent starts sleeping with Camille's wife, Thérèse. Pretty much every time he gets the chance. 
  • To boot, Laurent tries to drown Camille while the three are on a boat trip together. (He's a really great friend.) But before Camille goes overboard, he bites Laurent's neck.  
  • The wound leaves Laurent with a horrible scar. (You get him, buddy.) 
  • Camille's drowned body appears at the Morgue a week later.  
  • After his death, Camille exerts a much more powerful influence over Thérèse and Laurent. The two imagine his ghost is haunting them every night, and are never able to rekindle their feelings for each other.