The Counterfeiters · Chapter
XIII: Edouard’s Journal: First Visit to La Pérouse explained
Edouard visits the elderly Monsieur de La Pérouse in his new apartment, finding him in a state of physical and emotional decline.
What happens
Edouard visits the elderly Monsieur de La Pérouse in his new apartment, finding him in a state of physical and emotional decline. La Pérouse expresses his sense of being a dupe—fooled by his wife, his son, and even God—and reveals his deep, unseen love for his grandson Boris. The visit is marked by La Pérouse's reflections on old age, pride, and the tragedy of moral decay. Edouard's journal entries also touch on his unspoken feelings for Olivier and his decision to leave for London.
Themes in this chapter
Morality and Corruption
La Pérouse's lament that he mistook pride for virtue and feels duped by God highlights the theme of moral self-deception.
Family and Paternity
La Pérouse's hidden love for his grandson Boris and his strained relationship with his wife and son explore familial bonds and estrangement.
Art and the Novel
Edouard reflects on the novel's failure to capture 'moral tragedy,' linking the chapter to broader literary theory.
Characters to notice
- Edouard
Narrator of the journal; visits La Pérouse and reflects on his own feelings for Olivier.
- Monsieur de La Pérouse
Aged and distressed; reveals his sense of being duped and his love for his unseen grandson Boris.
- Madame de La Pérouse
Mentioned as being stone deaf and in a terrible state, causing strain in the household.
- Little Boris
La Pérouse's grandson, living in Poland; deeply loved but unknown to him.
- Olivier Molinier
Mentioned in Edouard's later journal entries; Edouard follows him in the street and feels a distant affection.
- Pauline
Mentioned as Olivier's mother, who wants him to try for the École Normale.
Key passages
“I’ve only just begun to understand that I have been a dupe during the whole of my life. Madame de La Pérouse has fooled me; my son has fooled me; everybody has fooled me; God has fooled me.”
La Pérouse realizes he has been deceived by everyone, including God, throughout his life.
Captures his profound disillusionment and sense of betrayal.
“He made me take my pride for virtue. He was laughing at me. It amuses him. I think he plays with us as a cat does with a mouse.”
La Pérouse believes God tricked him into mistaking pride for virtue, treating humans like toys.
Highlights the theme of moral corruption and religious doubt.
“There is a kind of tragedy, it seems to me, which has hitherto almost entirely eluded literature. The novel has dealt with the contrariness of fate... but not with the very essence of man’s being.”
Edouard observes that novels have missed the deeper tragedy of human essence, focusing instead on external conflicts.
Reflects Edouard's literary theory and the theme of art and the novel.