Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc · Chapter
Joan Says Goodbye explained
On January 5, 1429, Joan tells Louis de Conte and her uncle Laxart that her Voices have commanded her to go to the Dauphin.
What happens
On January 5, 1429, Joan tells Louis de Conte and her uncle Laxart that her Voices have commanded her to go to the Dauphin. Laxart, having witnessed her courage before nobles, now believes she is sent by God. Joan arranges to leave Domremy with her uncle, planning to go to Vaucouleurs. She identifies Jean de Metz and Bertrand de Poulengy as future supporters, despite their initial doubts. She instructs Louis to follow her soon and says a tearful goodbye to Mengette and Haumette, knowing she will never see her home again.
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Divine Mission
Joan's unwavering belief in her Voices and her conviction that she is commanded by God to rescue France drive her departure.
Innocence and Purity
The emotional farewells with Mengette and Haumette highlight Joan's deep, innocent love for her friends and her sorrow at leaving her childhood home.
Characters to notice
- Joan of Arc
Joan announces her mission to Louis and Laxart, speaks of her Voices, and prepares to leave Domremy.
- Louis de Conte
Louis is the narrator, receives Joan's instructions, and witnesses her farewell.
- Laxart
Joan's uncle, who helps arrange her departure and expresses his belief in her divine mission.
- Mengette
Little Mengette accompanies Joan partway on her departure and shares an emotional goodbye.
- Haumette
Haumette is too dear to Joan; she cannot bear to say goodbye, knowing she will never see her again.
Key passages
“The time is come. My Voices are not vague now, but clear, and they have told me what to do. In two months I shall be with the Dauphin.”
Joan declares that her divine instructions have become clear and that she will meet the Dauphin within two months.
Joan announces the start of her mission to Louis and Laxart.
“I have seen her stand before those nobles and mighty men unafraid, and say her say; and she had not been able to do that but by the help of God.”
Laxart believes Joan's courage before nobles proves she is divinely aided.
Laxart expresses his faith in Joan's divine mission.
“I would say goodbye to Little Mengette. Bring her outside the village at dawn; she must go with me a little of the way—”
Joan asks Louis to bring Mengette to say a brief farewell at dawn.
Joan arranges a final goodbye with her friend.
“No, oh, no—she is too dear to me, I could not bear it, knowing I should never look upon her face again.”
Joan cannot face saying goodbye to Haumette because the pain of never seeing her again is too great.
Joan's emotional refusal to bid farewell to Haumette.