# Craft That Was in Vain explained — Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc

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

## What happens

The third meeting of Joan's trial continues as Bishop Cauchon demands she swear to tell the whole truth. Joan resists, asserting her divine mission and refusing to swear beyond what she has already promised. The examination shifts to her Voices, her religious practices, and her childhood memories. A trap is set when Joan says 'Without the Grace of God I could do nothing,' leading to the question of whether she is in a state of Grace. Joan's humble and wise answer—praying for Grace if she lacks it and to be kept in it if she has it—defeats the snare, stunning the court.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Divine Mission

Joan repeatedly asserts she is sent from God, trusts her Voices, and declares her belief that God speaks to her.

### Injustice and Corruption of Power

The court's relentless attempts to trap Joan, the threat of condemnation, and the silencing of Lefevre's objection highlight the corrupt proceedings.

### Courage and Resilience

Joan stands firm against Cauchon's threats, answers boldly despite exhaustion, and outwits the trap with composure.

## Character check-ins

### Joan of Arc

Defiantly refuses to swear fully, asserts her divine mission, and gives a masterful answer to the trap about Grace.

### Pierre Cauchon

Presides over the trial, demands Joan swear, and angrily silences Jean Lefevre's objection.

### Beaupere

Conducts the examination, questions Joan about her Voices, childhood, and apparel, and sets the trap regarding Grace.

### Jean Lefevre

Brave judge who objects to the dangerous question about Grace, calling it terrible.

### Louis de Conte

Narrator and witness, describes the tension and his own fear during the proceedings.

## Key lines

> Take care what you do, my lord, you who are my judge, for you take a terrible responsibility on yourself and you presume too far.

Be careful, my lord judge, because you are assuming a grave responsibility and overstepping your bounds.

_Joan warns Cauchon about the danger of judging her unjustly._

> If I be not in a state of Grace, I pray God place me in it; if I be in it, I pray God keep me so.

If I am not in a state of Grace, I ask God to put me in it; if I am, I ask God to keep me there.

_Joan's humble and wise answer avoids the trap and impresses the court._

> I came from God; I have nothing more to do here. Return me to God, from whom I came.

I come from God; I have no further business here. Send me back to God, who sent me.

_Joan expresses weariness and a desire for release from the trial._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/vii-craft-that-was-in-vain
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters