Pierre and Jean · Chapter
IX explained
Pierre receives his appointment as ship's doctor on the Lorraine, bringing relief and a sense of escape from his fractured family.
What happens
Pierre receives his appointment as ship's doctor on the Lorraine, bringing relief and a sense of escape from his fractured family. He visits the ship, meets the outgoing doctor, and prepares for departure. On the final day, his family sees him off; his mother is grief-stricken. Pierre spends his last night in his cabin, reflecting on the past months, and the next morning observes the passengers, including emigrants in the lower deck.
Themes in this chapter
Alienation and Exile
Pierre feels like a stranger in his own home, and his departure on the Lorraine symbolizes a self-imposed exile from his family and past.
Motherhood and Sacrifice
Mme. Roland's silent grief and her desire to see Pierre's cabin reflect a mother's sacrifice and emotional pain as her son leaves.
Characters to notice
- Pierre Roland
Receives appointment as ship's doctor on the Lorraine; feels relief and melancholy; becomes distant from family; softens before departure; spends last night in cabin reflecting.
- Jean Roland
Congratulates Pierre on his appointment; leads the way with Mme. Rosémilly after farewell; his engagement to Mme. Rosémilly is mentioned.
- Mme. Roland
Bends her head in subdued reaction to Pierre's appointment; weeps as the ship departs; expresses gladness about Jean's engagement; asks to see Pierre's cabin but is refused.
- Old Roland
Claps hands in joy at Pierre's appointment; suggests watching the Lorraine from the Pearl; approves Jean's engagement.
- Mme. Rosémilly
Jean leads the way with her after the farewell; her engagement to Jean is confirmed.
Key passages
“His first feeling was that of a man condemned to death who is told that his sentence is commuted; he had an immediate sense of relief at the thought of his early departure and of the peaceful life on board, cradled by the rolling waves, always wandering, always moving.”
Pierre's initial reaction to his appointment was like a reprieve from a death sentence, bringing relief at the prospect of escaping to a wandering, peaceful life at sea.
Highlights Pierre's desire to flee his troubled home life.
“It was as though he had given the last wrench; there was no fibre of attachment left. In tearing up the roots of every affection he had not hitherto had the distressful feeling which now came over him, like that of a lost dog.”
Pierre felt he had severed all emotional ties, leaving him with a profound sense of homelessness and abandonment, like a stray dog.
Emphasizes Pierre's deep alienation and emotional desolation.
“And she felt as though half her heart had gone with him; she felt, too, as if her life were ended; yes, and she felt as though she would never see the child again.”
Mme. Roland felt that a part of her soul had departed with Pierre, as if her life was over and she would never see her son again.
Captures Mme. Roland's intense maternal grief at Pierre's departure.