# XV: The Mad Woman’s Plot explained — Fantômas

> Chapter companion for Fantômas by Pierre Souvestre.

## What happens

Dr. Biron's private asylum in Passy is thriving. Two doctors, Perret and Sembadel, discuss their work and a patient, Mme. Rambert (No. 25), who has apparently recovered. During a visit by Professor Swelding, Mme. Rambert has a violent crisis, screaming 'Fantômas!' at the professor. Later, she convinces her attendant Berthe that she is sane and persecuted, and bribes her to help her escape, offering a diamond ring and a fortune.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Deception

Mme. Rambert's claim of being sane and persecuted, and her identification of Professor Swelding as Fantômas, highlight themes of mistaken or hidden identity and deception.

### Fear and Terror

Mme. Rambert's panic attack and her terror of Fantômas, as well as her fear of being returned to her husband, underscore the theme of fear.

### Obsession and Vengeance

Mme. Rambert's obsessive desire to escape and her plot to bribe Berthe suggest a vengeful determination against those she believes have wronged her.

## Character check-ins

### Inspector Juve

Not present in this chapter.

### Fantômas

Mme. Rambert screams 'Fantômas!' at Professor Swelding, identifying him as the criminal.

### Etienne Rambert

Husband of Mme. Rambert; mentioned as the person to whom Perret wrote about her recovery.

### Mme. Rambert

Patient No. 25 in the asylum; claims to be sane and persecuted, and plots to escape with the help of her attendant.

### Dr. Biron

Director of the asylum; hosts Professor Swelding and is distressed by Mme. Rambert's crisis.

### Professor Swelding

Danish professor visiting the asylum; identified by Mme. Rambert as Fantômas.

## Key lines

> Fantômas! she cried: 'Fantômas! There—I know him! Oh, help!'

Mme. Rambert screams that Professor Swelding is Fantômas, causing a scene.

_This outburst reveals her identification of the professor with the criminal Fantômas._

> I must go, but I must not go merely to return to my husband! I must be free, free to go to those who will help me to escape from the horrible trap in which I have spent the last few years of my life!

Mme. Rambert insists she must escape the asylum not to return to her husband but to seek help from others.

_She expresses her desire for freedom and her belief that she is trapped._

> Take that as proof of my sincerity. If anybody asks me about it I will say that I have lost it. And from now, Berthe, begin to prepare a way for me to escape! The very night that I am free I swear you shall be a rich woman!

Mme. Rambert gives Berthe a diamond ring as a bribe and promises her wealth if she helps her escape.

_She uses her wealth to manipulate Berthe into aiding her escape._

## Links

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