Who Madame Verdurin is
Madame Verdurin presides over a small social circle in Paris, ruling her guests with charm and strict demands. Her gatherings bring together Odette, Charles Swann and others whose relationships shape the story of Swann's love.
What Madame Verdurin wants
She expects her guests to be loyal to the group and to share its dislike of outsiders. Those who displease her can lose their welcome, making belonging depend on more than wit or social rank. Her circle shows how the wish to belong can give a hostess power over her guests.
Madame Verdurin and the others in the story
Odette brings Swann to the gatherings, but he attends because of Odette rather than devotion to Madame Verdurin. He knows grander company and is initially amused by the demands of this smaller circle.
The Verdurins begin to turn against Swann because they feel he is not truly one of them. When Forcheville enters the group, he begins to win the place that Swann once holds.
Questions
Who is Madame Verdurin in Swann's Way?
Madame Verdurin is a Paris hostess who leads a small, demanding social group.
What does Madame Verdurin want from her guests?
She wants loyalty to her circle, along with a shared rejection of people outside it.
How is Madame Verdurin connected to Swann?
She presides over the circle Swann enters through Odette. The Verdurins grow hostile when they sense that he does not fully belong to their group.