I Will Repay · Chapter
Citizen-Deputy explained
Juliette de Marny awakens in Déroulède's house, reflecting on the past ten years since she swore an oath to avenge her brother's death.
What happens
Juliette de Marny awakens in Déroulède's house, reflecting on the past ten years since she swore an oath to avenge her brother's death. She recalls her father's decline, her time in the convent, the Archbishop's failure to release her from her vow, and the upheaval of the Revolution. She follows the trial of Charlotte Corday, where she sees Paul Déroulède defend Corday, and realizes she is now inside the home of the man she has sworn to destroy.
Themes in this chapter
Revenge and Justice
Juliette's oath to avenge her brother's death drives her actions; she sees Charlotte Corday as a model for her own mission.
Love and Sacrifice
Déroulède's chivalrous act toward Anne Mie and his risky defense of Charlotte Corday highlight selfless sacrifice.
Gender and Agency
Juliette and Charlotte Corday are young women taking violent action in a male-dominated revolutionary world, challenging traditional gender roles.
Characters to notice
- Juliette de Marny
Awakens in Déroulède's house, reflects on her oath and past ten years, watches Charlotte Corday's trial, and resolves to fulfill her revenge.
- Paul Déroulède
The Citizen-Deputy who rescued Juliette; observed at Charlotte Corday's trial making an impassioned speech; his chivalrous act toward Anne Mie is noted.
- Anne Mie
The sad-eyed, slightly deformed young girl who waited on Juliette; seen bidding Déroulède goodbye and carrying provisions.
- Pétronelle
Juliette's old nurse and only confidante, who supported her through poverty after the Revolution seized her property.
- Duc de Marny
Juliette's father, who died after his son's death, having become a mute, shrunken wreck.
- Vicomte de Marny
Juliette's brother, whose death at Déroulède's hands prompted her oath of revenge.
- Charlotte Corday
The young girl who killed Marat; her trial is observed by Juliette, who sees her as a model for her own mission.
- Foucquier-Tinville
Mentioned as the prosecutor in Charlotte Corday's trial.
Key passages
“She was actually a guest, a rescued protégé, beneath the roof of Citoyen Déroulède.”
Juliette realizes she is now a guest in the home of the man she has sworn to destroy.
Highlights the irony of her situation.
“She had watched the turmoils of the Revolution through the attic window of her tiny apartment in Paris.”
Juliette observed the Revolution's chaos from her small attic room.
Shows her isolation and the backdrop of the Terror.
“Greater than Brutus! some had called her. Greater than Joan of Arc...”
Charlotte Corday was hailed as greater than Brutus or Joan of Arc for her assassination of Marat.
Illustrates the romanticized view of political murder.
“He made an impassioned speech for the defence: a speech which has become historic.”
Déroulède gave a famous, passionate speech defending Charlotte Corday.
Establishes Déroulède's eloquence and courage.
