Short Fiction · Chapter
VII explained
After the discovery of Cora's pregnancy, the three relatives live in perfect accord, but the presence of Maze becomes increasingly uncomfortable.
What happens
After the discovery of Cora's pregnancy, the three relatives live in perfect accord, but the presence of Maze becomes increasingly uncomfortable. Cora eventually asks Maze to stop visiting when her husband is not home, and later tells her husband she has dismissed him entirely, which fills Lesable with grateful joy.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Domesticity
The chapter depicts the harmonious domestic life of the Cachelin family after Cora's pregnancy, and the exclusion of an outsider to preserve that happiness.
Obsession and Delusion
Lesable's joy and gratitude are based on a false belief about the child's paternity, showing his delusion.
Characters to notice
- M. Cachelin
Recovers his old gaiety, but feels secret hostility toward Maze and announces Cora's pregnancy to him.
- M. Lesable
Becomes more gay and grateful, thanks his wife for dismissing Maze, and kisses her tenderly.
- Cora
Is pregnant, loads her husband with attentions, and takes the initiative to dismiss Maze from their home.
- Cornudet
Maze comes less often, seems ill at ease, and is eventually asked to stop visiting.
Key passages
“From the moment of this happy discovery, the three relatives lived in the most perfect accord.”
After learning of Cora's pregnancy, the three family members got along perfectly.
The discovery of the pregnancy brings harmony to the household.
“Maze came less often, and seemed ill at ease in the family circle; they received him kindly, but with less warmth than formerly, for happiness is egotistical and excludes strangers.”
Maze visited less frequently and felt uncomfortable; the family was polite but less warm, as happiness tends to be selfish and shut out outsiders.
The family's contentment leads them to distance themselves from Maze.
“Taking his wife tenderly in his arms, Lesable impressed long kisses on her eyelids and on her cheeks. 'You are an angel! You are an angel!' he repeated, and he felt pressing against his stomach the already lusty child.”
Lesable embraced his wife lovingly, kissed her repeatedly, and called her an angel, feeling the baby against his stomach.
Lesable's affectionate response shows his gratitude and his acceptance of the pregnancy.