The Wolf-Leader · Chapter
VI: The Bedevilled Hair explained
Thibault attempts to place the wolf's ring on Agnelette's finger, but it refuses to fit any of her fingers, shrinking as if repelled by her innocence.
What happens
Thibault attempts to place the wolf's ring on Agnelette's finger, but it refuses to fit any of her fingers, shrinking as if repelled by her innocence. Agnelette notices a strange red hair on Thibault's head and flees in terror. Thibault tries to remove the hair, but it is indestructible, and he realizes it is the price of his pact with the black wolf.
Themes in this chapter
Deal with the Devil
Thibault's pact with the black wolf manifests through the ring and the indestructible red hair, symbolizing the inescapable consequences of his bargain.
Corruption of Innocence
Agnelette's purity is contrasted with Thibault's corruption; the ring refuses to fit her, and she is horrified by the mark on his head.
Characters to notice
- Thibault
Attempts to give the wolf's ring to Agnelette, but it refuses to fit her. Discovers a supernatural red hair on his head, which he cannot remove, realizing it is the mark of his pact.
- Agnelette
Innocently tries on the ring, but it will not fit. She sees the red hair on Thibault's head and flees in terror, later confronting him about the ring's origin.
- Master Wolf
Implied presence through the ring and the red hair, which are tokens of the pact.
Key passages
“Ring of the Devil, return to the Devil!”
Thibault curses the ring and throws it away, but it returns to his finger.
Highlights Thibault's futile attempt to escape the consequences of his pact.
“Oh! Monsieur Thibault, Monsieur Thibault, what have you got there?”
Agnelette points in horror at the red hair on Thibault's head.
Reveals the visible mark of Thibault's supernatural bargain.