I Will Repay · Chapter
XXIX: Père Lachaise explained
The mob, having lost Déroulède and Juliette after their abduction, storms toward the Temple prison and then the city barriers.
What happens
The mob, having lost Déroulède and Juliette after their abduction, storms toward the Temple prison and then the city barriers. Sir Percy Blakeney and his band, disguised as sansculottes, blend into the crowd and guide the couple through the chaos. The populace breaks through the National Guard at Ménilmontant, but after victory, the crowd's fervor wanes. As the mob is awed by the cemetery of Père Lachaise, the seagull's cry signals the escape of the little band into the graveyard.
Themes in this chapter
Mob Mentality and Populism
The chapter vividly depicts the fickle, violent, and easily redirected nature of the mob, which storms the barriers without clear purpose and is later cowed by the cemetery's majesty.
Love and Sacrifice
Déroulède and Juliette's reunion and mutual support amidst the chaos highlight their love, while the reference to Abélard and Héloïse underscores the theme of immortal love.
Characters to notice
- Sir Percy Blakeney
Leads the disguised band of Englishmen, orchestrating the escape through the mob and into Père Lachaise.
- Paul Déroulède
Holds Juliette's hand and joins the crowd's shouts, intoxicated by the reunion and the adventure.
- Juliette de Marny
Protected by Déroulède and the Englishmen, she feels the intoxication of freedom and love amidst the mob.
- Sir Andrew Ffoulkes
One of the English followers, laughs and enters into the spirit of the situation.
- Lord Anthony Dewhurst
Among the Englishmen in front, participating in the escape.
- Citizen Santerre
Shouts in savage triumph that the prisoners are safe in the Temple, but fails to control the mob.
Key passages
““They are safe in the Temple by now!” shouted Santerne hoarsely, in savage triumph at seeing them all baffled.”
Santerre triumphantly declared that the prisoners were already secure in the Temple prison, mocking the frustrated crowd.
Highlights Santerre's role and the mob's initial confusion.
““Are you frightened, my beloved?” he whispered. “Not whilst you are near me,” she murmured in reply.”
Déroulède asked Juliette if she was afraid, and she answered that his presence gave her courage.
Emphasizes the couple's emotional bond during the escape.
“The silent majesty of this city of the dead seemed to frown with withering scorn on the passions of the sister city.”
The cemetery's solemn grandeur appeared to look down contemptuously on the chaotic emotions of Paris.
Illustrates the contrast between the mob's frenzy and the peace of Père Lachaise.