raisonneur

[ rez-uh-nur; French re-zaw-nœr ]

noun,plural rai·son·neurs

[rez-uh-nurz; French re-zaw-nœr]. /ˌrɛz əˈnɜrz; French rɛ zɔˈnœr/.

a character in a play, novel, or the like who voices the central theme, philosophy, or point of view of the work.

Origin of raisonneur

1900–05; <French: literally, one who reasons or argues, equivalent to raisonn(er) to reason, argue + -eur-eur

Since I was lugged, even as a sort of raisonneur, into their little drama, I may be pardoned for some curiosity as to development.
The Mountebank | William J. Locke
The sculptor is a formidable bore, the antique raisonneur of French drama, preaching at every pore every chance he has.
Ivory Apes and Peacocks | James Huneker
"The result of all this free education," you will be told by a certain type of elderly raisonneur.
The Corner of Harley Street | Henry Bashford

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