The Rover · Chapter
Chapter XI explained
Peyrol and Catherine discuss Arlette's growing obsession with Lieutenant Réal, who has gone to Toulon.
What happens
Peyrol and Catherine discuss Arlette's growing obsession with Lieutenant Réal, who has gone to Toulon. Catherine warns that Scevola's jealousy and republicanism may lead to violence. Arlette confronts Peyrol, demanding to know where Réal is, and reveals her intense emotional transformation.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Madness
Arlette's intense emotional transformation and obsession with Réal borders on madness, as seen in her outburst.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Catherine's warning about Scevola's potential treachery highlights the theme of betrayal within the household.
Characters to notice
- Peyrol
Peyrol discusses Arlette's change with Catherine and is confronted by Arlette's emotional outburst.
- Arlette
Arlette shows a new vitality and demands to know Réal's whereabouts, revealing her passionate feelings.
- Aunt Catherine
Catherine warns Peyrol about Scevola's jealousy and fears for Arlette's safety.
- Citizen Scevola Bron
Scevola's jealousy and republicanism are discussed as a threat to Réal.
- Lieutenant Réal
Réal is absent, having gone to Toulon on service, but his return is expected at midnight.
Key passages
“She has no fear, no shame, no pride. I myself have been nearly like that.”
Catherine observes that Arlette is completely devoted to Réal, lacking any self-restraint, and admits she once felt similarly.
Catherine reflects on Arlette's obsessive love.
“A man who has received a sign from death—nothing can stop him!”
Catherine believes that a man who has been marked by death is unstoppable.
Catherine's fatalistic view on destiny.
“I wonder what the sign for me will be,” he thought: and concluded with self-contempt that for him there would be no sign, that he would have to die in his bed like an old yard dog in his kennel.”
Peyrol wonders what sign of death he will receive, but fears he will die an ordinary death.
Peyrol's introspection on his own mortality.