Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc · Chapter
The Paladin Groans and Boasts explained
The chapter describes the journey of Joan and her escort through enemy territory.
What happens
The chapter describes the journey of Joan and her escort through enemy territory. The narrator, Louis de Conte, wakes to find the Paladin, who boasts of his bravery and criticizes Noël Rainguesson for cowardice. The Paladin's claims are contradicted by the reality that he and Noël were forcibly conscripted. Joan's prophecy that they would join at the eleventh hour is partially fulfilled.
Themes in this chapter
Courage and Resilience
The conscripted peasants endure physical hardship and fear, yet choose to continue the march despite Joan offering them a chance to leave.
Truth Versus Propaganda
The Paladin's boastful claims of volunteering are contradicted by the truth of his forced conscription, highlighting the gap between self-image and reality.
Characters to notice
- Louis de Conte
Narrator and member of Joan's escort; reflects on Joan's prophecies and interacts with the Paladin.
- The Paladin
Boastful and self-aggrandizing; claims to have volunteered but was actually forcibly conscripted; limps from the march.
- Noël Rainguesson
Mentioned as having been forcibly conscripted and sleeping in camp; the Paladin criticizes him as a coward.
- Joan of Arc
Rides in the center of the column; offers the conscripted men a choice to leave; her prophecy about the Paladin and Noël partially comes true.
- Jean de Metz
Rides at the head of the column as part of the escort.
- Bertrand de Poulengy
Rides at the extreme rear of the column.
Key passages
“I marched with you last night.”
The Paladin claims he was part of the night march.
The Paladin asserts his presence, though he was forcibly conscripted.
“I could no more do it than the thunderstone could stay hid in the clouds when the storm calls it.”
The Paladin says he could not stay home any more than a thunderstone can hide during a storm.
The Paladin uses a dramatic metaphor to justify his supposed voluntary enlistment.
“He begged like a dog to be let off. Cried, and said he wanted to go to his mother.”
The Paladin describes Noël as begging to be released and crying for his mother.
The Paladin criticizes Noël's cowardice, though both were conscripted.