The Rover · Chapter
IV explained
On a Sunday morning, Peyrol shaves and dresses in his rustic clothes at Escampobar Farm.
What happens
On a Sunday morning, Peyrol shaves and dresses in his rustic clothes at Escampobar Farm. He exchanges a familiar joke with Aunt Catherine and joins Lieutenant Réal on a bench outside. The master of the farm, Scevola Bron, passes by with a manure fork, appearing as a manifestation of the revolutionary terror. A distant church bell rings. Peyrol and Réal discuss the English ship Amelia, which has been seen firing a gun and sending a boat ashore. Réal is suspicious and wants to investigate, but Peyrol dismisses it as the English fishing for breakfast. Réal grows impatient and leaves abruptly. Peyrol then encounters Arlette, who has been roaming at night. She tells him she was driven out by 'my heart.' Peyrol is taken aback by her strange behavior and words. He hurries to the lookout point where Réal is watching the Amelia, which has drifted dangerously close to Cape Esterel.
Themes in this chapter
Isolation and Community
The farm at Escampobar is isolated at the southernmost point of France, yet it is a community of disparate individuals—Peyrol, Arlette, Catherine, Réal, and Scevola—each with their own past and secrets.
War and Deception
The presence of the English ship Amelia and the suspicion of its activities highlight the ongoing war and the deceptions that come with it, as Réal and Peyrol discuss the ship's intentions.
Fate and Free Will
Arlette's statement that she was driven out by 'my heart' suggests a force beyond her control, while Peyrol's deliberate actions and observations reflect his own choices in the face of unfolding events.
Characters to notice
- Peyrol
Shaves and dresses for Sunday, exchanges jokes with Aunt Catherine, discusses the English ship with Réal, and questions Arlette about her nighttime roaming.
- Arlette
Returns from a nighttime walk, tells Peyrol she was driven out by 'my heart,' and shows a new, provocative demeanor.
- Lieutenant Réal
Watches the Amelia from the lookout, expresses suspicion about the English ship's activities, and grows impatient with Peyrol's dismissive attitude.
- Aunt Catherine
Compliments Peyrol on his appearance, now addressing him as 'Monsieur Peyrol' instead of 'citoyen.'
- Citizen Scevola Bron
Passes by with a manure fork, appearing as a low-spirited 'manifestation' of the revolutionary terror, now insignificant to Peyrol.
Key passages
“The years of political changes ending with the proclamation of Napoleon as Consul for life had not touched Peyrol except as to his strong thick head of hair, which was nearly all white now.”
Peyrol's appearance has aged, with his hair turning white, but the political upheavals of the era have otherwise left him unchanged.
Highlights Peyrol's detachment from the political changes around him.
“The old rover and the young seaman with their arms folded across their chests gazed into space, exchanging no words, like close intimates or like distant strangers.”
Peyrol and Réal sit in silence, their relationship ambiguous—either deeply familiar or completely alien to each other.
Illustrates the complex dynamic between the two men.
“The master of the farm, staring straight before him, passed before the two men towards the door of the salle, which Peyrol had left open. He leaned his fork against the wall before going in.”
Scevola Bron, the farm's master, walks past Peyrol and Réal, carrying a manure fork, and enters the house, leaning the fork against the wall.
Shows Scevola's diminished presence and his role as a mere worker now.
““My heart,” she said.”
Arlette explains that her heart compelled her to go out at night.
Reveals Arlette's inner turmoil and the mysterious forces driving her actions.
