Characterization help?

[toi-marguerite.livejournal.com]

Hey all!

I'm writing a NaNoWriMo novel that takes place from approximately 1788- 1799 and being the crazed fangirl that I am, I'm including as many Jacobins as I can get away with. I think I've got a good handle on Robespierre, since he's the main object of my obsession, but I do confess that I have nooooooooo idea at all how to characterize Saint- Just and Desmoulins. Aside from physical descriptions, I'm not quite sure what to do personality- wise to keep them as close to life as possible.

I would look at other historical fiction books as a guide, but then we get blood-thirsty-psycopathic-murderer!Saint- Just and dumb-as-a-rock!Desmoulins and I would rather avoid those since I've figured out that they're pretty much complete fabrications.

Thank you so much to anyone who can shed some light on the subject!

Comments

[estellacat.livejournal.com]

I think you're right on both counts, but the lack of cowboyishness is probably the reason that American (and those who have bought into American stereotypes on the matter) historians especially see him as feminine.

But I know exactly what you mean. Saint-Just strikes me as one of the least feminine men of the 18th century. (Considering what the popular styles and mannerisms of the era, that's not saying much, but I think you get my point.)

[eleonored.livejournal.com]

off top...
I never seen a colored photo of the Greuze's portrait on your userpic! Couldn't I ask you, where did you find it?

[estellacat.livejournal.com]

I wish I could say I had found a colored version of that portrait, but actually, I colored it myself... so it's natural state, as far as I've ever seen it, is also black and white.

[eleonored.livejournal.com]

Ah! C'est dommage!... And I had hope...

[estellacat.livejournal.com]

Sorry about that. >__>