Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc · Chapter
Checked by the Folly of the Wise explained
Joan of Arc marches with her army toward Orleans, but her generals deceive her by taking a longer route on the south bank of the Loire, contrary to her plan to attack directly.
What happens
Joan of Arc marches with her army toward Orleans, but her generals deceive her by taking a longer route on the south bank of the Loire, contrary to her plan to attack directly. She confronts Dunois, the Bastard of Orleans, and rebukes him for the trick. Despite the setback, her arrival inspires the city, and a change of wind allows provisions to reach Orleans by boat.
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Divine Mission
Joan's unwavering belief in God's guidance is central; she attributes the change of wind to divine intervention and rebukes the generals for trusting their own wisdom over God's counsel.
Courage and Resilience
Joan sleeps in her armor on the cold ground, endures discomfort, and maintains her enthusiasm despite the generals' deception.
Injustice and Corruption of Power
The generals deceive Joan, ignoring the King's orders and undermining her authority, reflecting the corruption and self-interest of those in power.
Characters to notice
- Joan of Arc
Leads the army toward Orleans, confronts Dunois about the deception, and demonstrates her practical wisdom and divine confidence.
- Louis de Conte
Narrates the chapter, describing the army's march and Joan's interactions with the generals.
- Dunois
The Bastard of Orleans, who advises the generals to deceive Joan and later faces her rebuke for the blunder.
- La Hire
One of the Armagnac generals commanding a division, described as tough and lawless.
- Pothon of Saintrailles
One of the Armagnac generals commanding a division in the march.
- Catherine Boucher
Young daughter of Jacques Boucher, who becomes Joan's roommate during her stay in Orleans.
- Charles VII
King who ordered the generals to obey Joan, though they often disregarded his commands.
Key passages
“She leaned forward and crushed the flame in her hand. “She’s not afraid of fire nor anything!” they shouted, and delivered a storm of admiring applause that made everything quake.”
Joan calmly extinguishes a flame caught on her banner with her bare hand, impressing the crowd with her fearlessness.
Demonstrates Joan's courage and the people's adoration.
“In God’s name,” said Joan, “my Lord’s counsel is safer and wiser than yours. You thought to deceive me, but you have deceived yourselves, for I bring you the best help that ever knight or city had; for it is God’s help, not sent for love of me, but by God’s pleasure.”
Joan tells Dunois that God's wisdom surpasses human schemes, and that their deception has only harmed themselves.
Highlights Joan's divine mission and her rebuke of the generals' folly.