# Her Sure Deliverance Foretold explained — Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc

> Chapter companion for Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc by Mark Twain.

## What happens

In this chapter, Louis de Conte reflects on Joan's prophecy of her deliverance from prison, interpreting it as a belief in an ordinary death that would free her spirit. The trial continues with Joan refusing to reveal the sign given to the King, and she boldly predicts a disaster for the English within seven years and the loss of all France. Her prophecy is recorded and later verified, while she hints at her liberation within three months, which Louis and Noël misinterpret as a rescue, though it ultimately leads to her martyrdom.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Divine Mission

Joan's unwavering belief in her Voices and her prophecy of deliverance, which she interprets as divine assurance of her fate.

### Truth Versus Propaganda

The trial record is manipulated by Cauchon, but later verified by Manchon and Louis, highlighting the struggle between truth and falsehood.

### Courage and Resilience

Joan faces the tribunal with boldness and dignity, even when predicting her own death and the downfall of her enemies.

## Character check-ins

### Joan of Arc

Shows happiness and contentment at the prophecy of deliverance, interprets it as death in prison, and boldly predicts English defeat within seven years.

### Louis de Conte

Narrates the chapter, reflecting on Joan's prophecy and his own misinterpretation of her deliverance as a rescue.

### Noël Rainguesson

Shares Louis's hope and joy at the prophecy, believing Joan will be rescued and returned home.

### Pierre Cauchon

Presides over the trial, attempts to trap Joan with questions about her Voices and the sign given to the King.

### Manchon

Mentioned as a secretary who later testifies to the accuracy of the trial record.

### Nicolas Loyseleur

Implied as the source of information about the sign given to the King, used by the tribunal.

## Key lines

> I warn you now that before seven years a disaster will smite the English, oh, many fold greater than the fall of Orleans! and then, soon after, they will lose all France!

Joan predicts that within seven years, the English will suffer a defeat far worse than the loss of Orleans, and soon after, they will lose control of all France.

_This prophecy is recorded in the trial transcript and later fulfilled with the fall of Paris in 1436._

> Ask me again in three months and I will tell you.

Joan tells the judges to ask her again in three months about her deliverance, implying she will be freed by then.

_Louis and Noël interpret this as a rescue, but it ultimately refers to her martyrdom on May 30, 1431._

> I have always said that I was not permitted to tell you everything. I am to be set free, and I desire to ask leave of my Voices to tell you the day.

Joan explains that she cannot reveal the exact day of her release without permission from her Voices, but confirms she will be set free.

_This reflects Joan's obedience to her divine guidance and her confidence in the prophecy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/ix-her-sure-deliverance-foretold
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters