The Counterfeiters · Chapter
XX: Edouard's Journal explained
Edouard reflects on Boris's suicide, which he finds indecent and refuses to use in his novel 'The Counterfeiters.' The suicide has caused the breakup of the Vedel school, with families removing their children.
What happens
Edouard reflects on Boris's suicide, which he finds indecent and refuses to use in his novel 'The Counterfeiters.' The suicide has caused the breakup of the Vedel school, with families removing their children. Edouard visits La Pérouse, who speaks mystically about silence, God, and the devil, ultimately expressing a belief in God's cruelty. Edouard learns that Bernard has returned to his father's house after hearing the old judge is unwell, and he anticipates a dinner with the Profitendieu and Molinier families.
Themes in this chapter
Morality and Corruption
Boris's suicide and its repercussions expose moral decay and the corruption of innocence within the Vedel school and family.
Art and the Novel
Edouard refuses to incorporate Boris's suicide into his novel, revealing his artistic principles and the tension between reality and fiction.
Characters to notice
- Edouard
Narrates his journal, refusing to use Boris's suicide in his novel; visits La Pérouse and reflects on the aftermath of the suicide.
- Little Boris
His suicide is the central event discussed; Edouard finds it indecent and unaccountable.
- Monsieur de La Pérouse
Grieves Boris's death, speaks mystically about silence and God's cruelty; Edouard visits him.
- Bernard Profitendieu
Has returned to his father's house after learning the old judge is unwell.
- Monsieur Profitendieu
Invites Edouard to dinner; is unwell, prompting Bernard's return.
- Olivier Molinier
Touched by Boris's death; informs Edouard of Bernard's return.
Key passages
“I accept reality coming as a proof in support of my thought, but not as preceding it. It displeases me to be surprised. Boris's suicide seems to me an indecency, for I was not expecting it.”
Edouard prefers reality to confirm his ideas rather than dictate them; Boris's unexpected suicide feels offensive and unseemly.
Edouard's artistic philosophy and his reaction to the suicide.
“Have you noticed that in this world God always keeps silent? It's only the devil who speaks.”
La Pérouse suggests that God is silent in the world, while the devil's voice is the only one audible.
La Pérouse's mystical and despairing view of divinity.