Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc · Chapter
She Gently Reproves Her Dear Friend explained
Joan reveals to Catherine Boucher that she knows she will be wounded in battle the next day, as her Voices have told her.
What happens
Joan reveals to Catherine Boucher that she knows she will be wounded in battle the next day, as her Voices have told her. Catherine tries to persuade her to stay, but Joan gently reproves her by showing the absurdity of avoiding duty out of fear. The chapter also includes Joan dictating a letter to her mother and receiving news of the council's cowardly decision to withdraw, which she firmly overrules.
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Divine Mission
Joan's certainty about her wound comes from her Voices, demonstrating her unwavering faith in her divine mission.
Courage and Resilience
Joan's determination to face battle despite knowing she will be wounded exemplifies her courage and resilience.
Injustice and Corruption of Power
The council's cowardly decision to withdraw, disguised as concern for Joan's fatigue, reflects the corruption and self-interest among those in power.
Characters to notice
- Joan of Arc
Reveals her foreknowledge of being wounded, dictates a letter to her mother, and overrules the council's cowardly decision to withdraw.
- Catherine Boucher
Tries to persuade Joan to avoid battle out of concern for her safety, but is gently reproved.
- Louis de Conte
Records the dates when Joan first spoke of her wound, and observes the scene with Catherine.
- Jean Pasquerel
Joan's confessor, who introduces the Sire de Rais and is told to rise early to be by Joan's side.
- Dunois
Mentioned as one of the men to whom Joan sends her command to keep the army in place.
- La Hire
Mentioned as one of the men to whom Joan sends her command to keep the army in place.
- Haumette
Mentioned fondly by Joan when she sends messages to her childhood friends.
- Mengette
Mentioned fondly by Joan when she sends messages to her childhood friends.
Key passages
“The wound is to come, and come tomorrow. If I do not seek it, it will seek me.”
Joan explains that her wound is inevitable and will find her regardless of her actions.
Highlights Joan's fatalism and acceptance of her divine destiny.
“I will go or I will stay, as you shall decide.”
Joan offers Catherine the choice of whether she will go into battle, as a test of Catherine's trust.
Shows Joan's playful yet profound method of teaching Catherine about duty and faith.
“The incurable cowards! ... So it was to get me away from my men that they pretended so much solicitude about my fatigue.”
Joan angrily realizes the council's true motive was to separate her from the army, not to care for her health.
Reveals Joan's sharp political insight and her frustration with the cowardice of the French leadership.
