Lulu: Symbol of Loyalty and Comfort in Danielle Steel's Triangle
What Is Lulu?
Lulu is Amanda Delanoe's toy poodle — a small white ball of fluff who accompanies her mistress everywhere. Amanda calls Lulu her "soulmate," and the dog is fiercely possessive and protective of her. Lulu appears throughout the novel as a constant presence in Amanda's Parisian life, whether curled up at home, carried to the gallery, or left in the care of her partner Pascal during trips.
Where Lulu Appears
The dog is introduced in Chapter 1 as part of Amanda's description of her contented life. She takes Lulu to the art gallery and keeps her close. When Amanda travels to London with Olivier in Chapter 4, she leaves Lulu with Pascal because British regulations make it impossible for such a small dog to travel. Pascal enjoys dog‑sitting, noting that Lulu attracts attention from women — a comic detail that lightens the narrative.
After the escalating stalker attacks, Lulu becomes an emotional anchor. In Chapter 12, following Tom Quinlan's violent assault and the vandalism of her apartment, Amanda feels intense relief that she had not left Lulu at home. She reflects: "Lulu was the only thing she cared about now. Paintings and a couch could always be replaced. Lulu couldn't." Later, when Amanda stays at Pascal's Left Bank apartment to escape fear, she brings Lulu along, and the dog's calm presence helps her sleep again.
How Lulu's Meaning Changes
Initially, Lulu represents domestic warmth and the sentimental bond that fills the void left by Amanda's lost family. After her mother's death and her father's passing, Amanda has no relatives; Lulu becomes her closest companion. The dog knows her secrets — for instance, after the disappointing dinner where Olivier never calls, the text notes that "Only Lulu knew the truth, that she had waited for weeks, hoping he would call." Lulu is a silent witness to Amanda's inner life.
As the stalker plot intensifies, Lulu's meaning shifts toward vulnerability and preciousness. The threat to Lulu — that the vandal with a knife could have killed her — makes Amanda realize that the dog embodies everything she cannot bear to lose. Lulu transforms from a simple pet into a symbol of the safe, affectionate world Amanda is fighting to protect.
By the novel's resolution, Lulu still represents steadfastness. While human relationships are tested and repaired, the dog's loyalty never wavers. Lulu is not a character who changes; she is a constant around which the protagonist's emotions revolve.
Character Connections Through Lulu
- Amanda: Lulu is her confidant, her "emotional support dog" in times of fear. Amanda's refusal to leave her behind after the break‑in shows that Lulu holds a higher value than material possessions.
- Pascal: He cares for Lulu willingly and uses the dog as a social icebreaker. His willingness to dog‑sit reflects his deep friendship with Amanda.
- Tom Quinlan: He never interacts directly with Lulu, but the threat to Amanda's home endangers Lulu indirectly. Tom's violent acts — the break‑in and the attempted rape — create a space where even a small dog could be hurt, underscoring the danger.
- Olivier: He is not shown interacting with Lulu, but Amanda's desire for a safe home with Olivier would naturally include the dog. Lulu represents the domestic tranquility that Olivier and Amanda hope to build.
Theme Connections
In the stalking and fear theme, Lulu is a barometer of safety: Amanda takes her everywhere when frightened, and the dog's presence helps her sleep. The vandalism chapter makes explicit that Lulu could have been killed, heightening the stakes.
In the love triangle theme, Lulu is implicitly on Amanda's side — she knows Amanda's heartache over Olivier. The dog is a silent participant in Amanda's romantic decisions.
In independence vs. connection, Lulu embodies connection: Amanda relies on her for companionship, yet the dog also makes her vulnerable (she cannot leave Lulu alone during a threat). Pascal's apartment offers a reprieve partly because Lulu is safe there.
In deception and honesty, Lulu stands for unvarnished truth. She cannot lie, and Amanda confides in her without pretense.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Lulu function as an emotional anchor for Amanda throughout the stalker ordeal?
Answer: Lulu provides unconditional comfort and a reason to stay vigilant. After the break‑in and vandalism, Amanda's first thought is gratitude that Lulu was not harmed. The dog's presence helps Amanda sleep at Pascal's apartment, restoring her strength. Lulu is the one living being Amanda prioritizes above possessions, making her a stabilizing force in a chaotic time.
2. What does the threat to Lulu's life reveal about the stalker's psychology?
Answer: The fact that the vandal slashed furniture and paintings but did not harm Lulu (because she was not present) shows that the perpetrator is focused on terrorizing Amanda through property damage rather than direct animal cruelty. However, Amanda's fearful realization — that the knife could have killed Lulu — highlights that the stalker's violence is indiscriminate and could easily escalate to any living being in Amanda's space.
3. How does Lulu contrast with the character of Tom Quinlan?
Answer: Tom represents deception, possessiveness, and physical violence. Lulu represents honest loyalty, protectiveness, and gentle affection. While Tom tries to control Amanda through assault, Lulu defends her mistress fiercely yet harmlessly. The dog's small size and innocence make Tom's brutality seem even more monstrous by comparison.
4. In what way does Lulu embody the theme of loyalty in the novel?
Answer: Lulu never wavers in her devotion to Amanda, unlike the human relationships that are tested by lies, jealousy, and fear. She stays by Amanda's side during sleepless nights, follows her to the gallery, and offers silent comfort. Even when Amanda doubts Olivier or distrusts Tom, Lulu's loyalty remains constant, serving as a reminder of the kind of steadfast love Amanda ultimately seeks.