I Will Repay · Chapter
In the Luxembourg Prison explained
Juliette is taken to the Luxembourg prison through a jeering mob, but she is lost in a dreamlike state, reliving the memory of Déroulède's love.
What happens
Juliette is taken to the Luxembourg prison through a jeering mob, but she is lost in a dreamlike state, reliving the memory of Déroulède's love. She accepts her fate, believing she has saved him by taking the blame, and finds happiness in her sacrifice. The prison governor and Merlin discuss her security, and she is denied visitors.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Juliette's love for Déroulède leads her to embrace death, finding happiness in her sacrifice for his safety.
Redemption and Forgiveness
Juliette reflects on her false ideals and the oath of vengeance, seeking redemption through her self-accusation and impending death.
Mob Mentality and Populism
The jeering mob, including a mother urging her child to spit on Juliette, illustrates the dehumanizing populism of the Revolution.
Characters to notice
- Juliette de Marny
Imprisoned in the Luxembourg, she is lost in memories of Déroulède's love and accepts her impending death as atonement.
- Citizen Merlin
Escorts Juliette to prison and arranges for her strict confinement, deeming her dangerous.
- Paul Déroulède
Referenced in Juliette's memories; his avowal of love gives her strength.
Key passages
“She was happy—supremely, completely happy. She had saved him from the consequences of her own iniquitous crime, and she was about to give her life for him, so that his safety might be more completely assured.”
Juliette feels profound happiness because she has protected Déroulède from her betrayal and is ready to die to ensure his safety.
Highlights Juliette's emotional state and her sacrificial love.
“She had arrogated to herself that which was God’s alone—'Vengeance!' which is not for man.”
Juliette realizes she wrongly claimed the divine right of vengeance, which led her to crime.
Reflects her moral awakening and rejection of her earlier oath.