# Unbroken Success Essential in Theocracy explained — Saint Joan

> Chapter companion for Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw.

## What happens

This chapter explores Joan of Arc's critical failure after the coronation of Charles VII, arguing that her inability to maintain unbroken success led to her downfall. It highlights her insistence on a swift attack on Paris, the king's timid diplomacy with Burgundy, and her subsequent capture at Compiègne, which revealed her political isolation.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Tragedy of Greatness

Joan's unbroken success is essential in a theocracy; her failure to maintain it leads to her tragic downfall and political abandonment.

### Individual vs. Institution

Joan's individual vision clashes with the timid, institutional politics of the king and court, leading to her isolation.

## Character check-ins

### Joan of Arc

Joan's insistence on a swift attack on Paris after the coronation makes her a nuisance to the king and court; she is captured at Compiègne and finds herself without political allies.

### King Charles VII

Charles timidly and foolishly tries to square the Duke of Burgundy instead of following Joan's plan, contributing to her isolation.

### Dunois

Mentioned as the Bastard of Orleans, part of the chain Joan needed to forge but could not.

### The English

The enemy that Joan fights against; the chance to capture her comes to them.

## Key lines

> From the moment when she failed to stimulate Charles to follow up his coronation with a swoop on Paris she was lost.

Joan's fate was sealed when she could not persuade Charles to attack Paris right after his coronation.

_Highlights the critical turning point in Joan's fortunes._

> she was taken prisoner by the Burgundians fighting before Compiègne, and at once discovered that she had not a friend in the political world.

Captured by Burgundians at Compiègne, Joan realized she had no political allies.

_Emphasizes Joan's political isolation after her capture._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/saint_joan_se/chapters/unbroken-success-essential-in-theocracy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/saint_joan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/saint_joan_se/chapters