Le Fever (The Sick Officer) Character Analysis in Tristram Shandy

Le Fever is an army lieutenant whose pitiful fate greatly affects both Toby and Trim. Le Fever served in Flanders at the same time as Toby, but they were never personally acquainted; Toby does recall hearing about the tragic death of Le Fever’s wife, however. Their paths cross again when Le Fever falls ill in the inn near Shandy-Hall and the landlord asks Toby for his help caring for him. Toby sends Trim to investigate and resolves to take Le Fever in and nurse him back to health, but Le Fever dies in the end. Le Fever’s proud, religious conduct and dignity in the face of death make a strong impression on Toby, who adopts Le Fever’s son and, later, recommends him to Walter as an ideal governor for Tristram.

Le Fever (The Sick Officer) Character Timeline in Tristram Shandy

The timeline below shows where the character Le Fever (The Sick Officer) appears in Tristram Shandy. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Truth, Fiction, and Storytelling Theme Icon

...best work he is able to produce in his sickly state. The “humane” story of Le Fever in Volume Six, however, is dedicated to Lady Spencer. (full context)

...his master will be depressed for some time, like he was after the death of Le Fever . The servants all praise Toby’s kindheartedness, and Trim says that if he knew for... (full context)

...The landlord of the village inn comes in asking for a glass of sack for another officer who is very sick in his inn; the officer will only eat toast and drink... (full context)

Science, Technology, and the Enlightenment Theme Icon

After he has heard the story, Toby wishes to go visit the sick officer , but he cannot leave the house due to the wound to his groin. He... (full context)

...Trim returns and gives him his report. Trim arrived at the inn and asked for the sick officer ’s servant but learned from the landlady that he does not have one. The officer,... (full context)

Trim is asked to come upstairs after the officer and his son have said their prayers; the curate is surprised, having thought soldiers never... (full context)

...model version of the siege of Dendermond, he gives up his hobby-horse to attend to Le Fever and Le Fever’s son. Toby criticizes Trim for not offering Le Fever money, though he... (full context)

Chapter 10. Toby gets up early to visit Le Fever , entering his room and sitting down next to the bed. He asks Le Fever... (full context)

Chapter 11. Tristram is impatient to return to his own story and resolves to conclude Le Fever ’s story in the next two chapters. Toby attends the funeral with Le Fever’s son,... (full context)

Chapter 12. After Toby settles Le Fever ’s accounts all that remains is Le Fever’s regimental coat and sword. Toby gives the... (full context)

Chapter 13. Le Fever ’s son participates in a victorious battle against the Turks at Belgrade, but then he... (full context)

...them to leave the breeches and Latus Clavus, leave Mrs. Shandy, leave Dr. Slop, leave Le Fever , and even to leave him, Tristram, behind. He admits that the latter, of course,... (full context)

...war, arguing that they are separate acts. Then, addressing Yorick, Toby quotes the sermon from Le Fever ’s funeral. If a gentle creature like Le Fever was not made by nature for... (full context)

...Volume Six, Tristram claims, has been even better, moving more or less straight ahead after Le Fever ’s story. Tristram hopes that he will soon move forward in a perfectly straight line,... (full context)

...of the most important tools: a bed, (Shandy Hall is unfurnished, and the inn where Le Fever will later die is yet unbuilt). Because of this, Toby stays at widow Wadman’s until... (full context)

...Trim fetches Toby new shaving razors. He also repairs his own Montero cap and wears Le Fever ’s regimental coat. Trim proposes that once Toby has shaved and dressed, they should march... (full context)

...his scarlet breeches, Toby settles for his red plush ones instead. Trim, meanwhile, is wearing Le Fever ’s regimental coat and his Montero cap. Walter comments that they at least look good. (full context)