# Chapter XI explained — Mauprat

> Chapter companion for Mauprat by George Sand.

## What happens

Bernard awakens exhausted and doubts Edmée's promise of marriage. He sees M. de la Marche visiting and becomes jealous. In the drawing-room, Bernard kisses the wound on Edmée's arm in front of de la Marche, provoking a tense exchange. Edmée leaves with de la Marche, leaving Bernard humiliated. The chapter also includes a flashback to earlier debates between Bernard and Hubert, and the family's decision to move to Paris for the carnival.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Fidelity

Edmée's conflicting promises to Bernard and de la Marche, and Bernard's jealousy, highlight the theme of love and fidelity.

### Social Class and Inequality

The abbé and Edmée discuss the impossibility of a marriage between Edmée and Bernard due to his coarse upbringing and low social refinement.

### Moral Transformation

Bernard reflects on how the events of the previous night have changed him, and Edmée hopes that Paris will refine his character.

## Character check-ins

### Edmée de Mauprat

Edmée discusses the impossibility of marrying Bernard with the abbé, but later shows tenderness toward Bernard while also maintaining her engagement to de la Marche.

### Bernard Mauprat

Bernard is consumed by jealousy and doubt, kisses Edmée's wound in front of de la Marche, and feels humiliated when Edmée leaves with de la Marche.

### M. de la Marche

De la Marche visits Edmée daily, reads the paper, and calmly responds to Bernard's provocation, escorting Edmée out of the room.

### Abbé Aubert

The abbé argues with Edmée about the folly of marrying Bernard and later discusses with her how to improve Bernard's behavior.

### Hubert de Mauprat

Hubert engages in heated debates with Bernard but quickly forgives him, showing fatherly solicitude.

## Key lines

> How should that which is inevitable be impossible?

Edmée argues that marrying Bernard is unavoidable, even if it leads to misery.

_Edmée expresses fatalism about her situation._

> When Mauprat meets Mauprat⁠ ⁠… !

Edmée threatens to kill Bernard if he becomes violent, referencing their shared family name.

_Edmée shows her fierce independence and willingness to defend herself._

> I was no longer the man of the day before, and never again was I to be quite the man of Roche-Mauprat.

Bernard feels transformed by the previous night's events, leaving his old self behind.

_Bernard acknowledges a personal change._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mauprat_se/chapters/xi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mauprat_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mauprat_se/chapters