# I: The Curse explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Gustave Flaubert.

## What happens

Julian is born to a noble couple after a hermit prophesies he will be a saint and a gypsy foretells great bloodshed and glory. Raised in a luxurious castle, he is doted upon and educated. After a hunting curse predicts he will kill his parents, Julian becomes ill and avoids weapons. He accidentally wounds his father with a sword and later kills his mother with a javelin, then flees home forever.

## Themes in this chapter

### Death and Mortality

The prophecy of parricide and Julian's accidental wounding of his father and killing of his mother highlight the inescapable nature of death and fate.

### Guilt and Redemption

Julian is consumed by guilt after the stag's curse and his violent accidents, leading him to flee in search of redemption.

### Faith and Devotion

The hermit's prophecy of sainthood, Julian's mother's prayers, and the monk's guidance reflect the deep religious faith of the era.

### Suffering and Endurance

Julian endures a debilitating illness and psychological torment from the curse, while his parents suffer in anguish over his fate.

## Character check-ins

### Saint Julian

The young protagonist, born under prophecies of sainthood and parricide, struggles with a curse that leads him to accidentally harm his parents and ultimately flee.

### Félicité

Not present in this chapter.

### Madame Aubain

Not present in this chapter.

### Herod Antipas

Not present in this chapter.

### Herodias

Not present in this chapter.

### Loulou

Not present in this chapter.

### Virginia

Not present in this chapter.

### Mannaeus

Not present in this chapter.

### Vitellius

Not present in this chapter.

### Madame Lormeau

Not present in this chapter.

### Iaokanann

Not present in this chapter.

### Aulus

Not present in this chapter.

### Victor

Not present in this chapter.

### Monsieur Bourais

Not present in this chapter.

### Phanuel

Not present in this chapter.

### Paul

Not present in this chapter.

### Jacim

Not present in this chapter.

### Colmiche

Not present in this chapter.

### The Marquis de Grémanville

Not present in this chapter.

### Eleazar

Not present in this chapter.

### Liébard

Not present in this chapter.

### Mother Simon

Not present in this chapter.

### Jonathas

Not present in this chapter.

### Agrippa

Not present in this chapter.

### Fabu

Not present in this chapter.

### Marcellus

Not present in this chapter.

### Sisenna

Not present in this chapter.

### Théodore

Not present in this chapter.

### Nastasie Barette

Not present in this chapter.

### The Baron de Larsonnière

Not present in this chapter.

## Key lines

> Rejoice, O mother! Thy son shall be a saint.

A hermit appears to Julian's mother in a vision and tells her that her son will become a saint.

_This is the first prophecy about Julian's future, given by a mysterious hermit._

> Ah! Ah! thy son!—great bloodshed—great glory—happy always—an emperor's family.

A gypsy beggar prophesies that Julian will cause great bloodshed, achieve glory, and marry into an emperor's family.

_This second prophecy contrasts with the first, foretelling violence and worldly success._

> He had struck his mother, whose cap and long streams remained nailed to the wall. Julian fled from home and never returned.

Julian accidentally kills his mother with a javelin, then runs away from home forever.

_The curse is fulfilled as Julian commits the first parricide, prompting his flight._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_22_se/chapters/i-the-curse
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_22_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_22_se/chapters