Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc · Chapter
Joan Makes Cowards Brave Victors explained
Joan confronts the council of generals on the feast of the Ascension, exposing their secret plan to feign an attack on a minor bastille while hiding their true objective of crossing the river to take the bridge forts.
What happens
Joan confronts the council of generals on the feast of the Ascension, exposing their secret plan to feign an attack on a minor bastille while hiding their true objective of crossing the river to take the bridge forts. She insists on an immediate offensive, declaring the English will be gone in three days. Despite initial panic among the French troops, Joan rallies them with her banner and leads a successful assault on the bastille of the Augustins, burning it to prevent pillage. She then returns to the city to rest and prepare for the next day's attack on the Tourelles.
Themes in this chapter
Courage and Resilience
Joan's unwavering determination to attack despite the council's caution, and her ability to rally panicked troops by leading from the front, exemplify courage and resilience.
Injustice and Corruption of Power
The council of generals secretly plots to deceive Joan and pursue a timid strategy, prioritizing their own cautious plans over the urgent need to act, reflecting corruption and injustice in leadership.
Faith and Divine Mission
Joan's confidence in her divine mission is evident as she declares the English will be gone in three days and inspires her troops with her banner, seen as a symbol of God's will.
Characters to notice
- Joan of Arc
Leads the council, exposes their secret plan, and insists on an immediate offensive. Rallies the panicked troops and leads the successful assault on the Augustins.
- Dunois
Hesitates when questioned by Joan about the council's plan, but eventually concedes that the council knew the bridge forts were the true objective.
- La Hire
Arrives during the council, enthusiastically supports Joan's plan to storm the forts, and later helps rally the troops during the assault on the Augustins.
- Louis de Conte
Narrates the events, describing Joan's actions and the reactions of the council and the army.
Key passages
“In the name of God! As if seven months was not enough, you want to provide for a year of it. Now ye shall drop these pusillanimous dreams—the English shall go in three days!”
Joan angrily rejects the council's plan for a long siege, insisting that the English will be defeated within three days.
Joan's frustration with the council's timidity and her confidence in a swift victory.
“If there is but a dozen of you that are not cowards, it is enough—follow me!”
Joan calls on even a handful of brave soldiers to follow her, rallying the fleeing troops.
Joan's leadership in turning a panic into a counterattack.
“She is a child, and that is all ye seem to see. Keep to that superstition if you must, but you perceive that this child understands this complex game of war as well as any of you; and if you want my opinion without the trouble of asking for it, here you have it without ruffles or embroidery—by God, I think she can teach the best of you how to play it!”
La Hire defends Joan's military acumen, stating that despite her youth, she understands warfare better than the council members.
La Hire's admiration for Joan's strategic insight.