Alexandre
Research Status: Moderate Last Updated: 2025-12-07 Diary Coverage: Book 00 (1884 preface), Books through 1880-10-15
Identity
Alexandre was one of Marie's uncles, a son of #Grand_papa. 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, the young orphan adopted by his aunt #Vassilissa_Babanine.
When 14-year-old Nadine arrived at Grand-papa's estate at #Tcherniakovka:
- 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 - His young wife, married for her fortune
- #Vassilissa_Babanine - His aunt, whom he betrayed
- #Grand_papa - His father, who was furious about the marriage
- #Maman - His sister, Marie's mother
Related Places
- #Tcherniakovka - 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.
%%2025-12-07T19:55:00 RSR: Expanded entry based on Book 00 preface. Alexandre emerges as calculating opportunist who married 15-year-old for her fortune, then betrayed her adoptive mother%%