Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc · Chapter
Again to Arms explained
Joan's father Jacques d'Arc and Uncle Laxart visit her, bringing gifts from home.
What happens
Joan's father Jacques d'Arc and Uncle Laxart visit her, bringing gifts from home. Jacques confesses his earlier fear that Joan's military success would turn her head and asks for forgiveness. The family shares a tender moment, and Laxart describes how the village has honored Joan by naming children and animals after her. A messenger arrives from the King requesting Joan to remain as commander and attend a war council, ending her hopes of returning home.
Themes in this chapter
Innocence and Purity
Joan's childlike joy at receiving simple gifts from home, and her forgiving nature toward her father's past harsh words.
Courage and Resilience
Joan's immediate transition from homesick girl to Commander-in-Chief upon receiving the King's command, showing her resilience and sense of duty.
Injustice and Corruption of Power
Louis de Conte's reflection on the treatment of peasants as mere beasts of burden by the 'nation,' and his hope that they will one day demand recognition as part of the human race.
Characters to notice
- Joan of Arc
Torn between homesickness and duty; forgives her father; demonstrates swordplay; receives gifts from home; ultimately accepts the King's command to remain as commander.
- Louis de Conte
Narrator; reflects on the humanity of peasants after observing Jacques d'Arc's remorse; reads the King's message to Joan.
- Jacques d'Arc
Visits Joan; confesses his earlier fear and anger; asks for forgiveness; shows pride and conscience; eagerly learns soldiering from Joan.
- Laxart
Accompanies Jacques; brings gifts from Joan's mother and Père Fronte; describes how the village honors Joan by naming children and animals after her.
- La Hire
Mentioned as a grand swordsman who often fences with Joan; not present in the chapter.
- Guillaume Fronte
Sends Joan a leaden image of the Holy Virgin; mentioned as the keeper of Joan's cat.
- Charles VII
Sends a messenger requesting Joan to remain as commander and attend a war council.
Key passages
“I believe that some day it will be found out that peasants are people. Yes, beings in a great many respects like ourselves.”
Louis de Conte expresses his belief that peasants are fully human and deserve to be recognized as such.
Reflects the narrator's growing awareness of the dignity of common people.
“She could almost wish she was going to the wars again; for then she would fight with the better courage, as having always with her something which her mother's touch had blessed.”
Joan says she would fight more bravely if she could carry her mother's blessed gift into battle.
Shows Joan's deep emotional connection to her family and her faith.
“Deep disappointment clouded her face for just one moment and no more—it passed, and with it the homesick girl, and she was Joan of Arc, Commander-in-Chief again, and ready for duty.”
Joan's momentary disappointment at the King's command vanishes as she immediately resumes her role as military leader.
Highlights Joan's sense of duty and her ability to set aside personal desires for her mission.
