Villette · Chapter
XXXV: Fraternity explained
Lucy Snowe reflects on Madame Beck's advice to forget M.
What happens
Lucy Snowe reflects on Madame Beck's advice to forget M. Paul, but instead finds herself drawn to him after learning of his past devotion to Justine Marie. She visits the Rue des Mages and hears Père Silas's story, which reveals M. Paul's chivalrous and self-sacrificing nature. Lucy then has a lively interview with M. Paul, where they discuss his humble living conditions, his past, and the portrait of the nun. The chapter explores themes of love, memory, and the tension between reality and illusion.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Self-Sacrifice
M. Paul's devotion to Justine Marie and his self-sacrificing nature are revealed through Père Silas's story, challenging Lucy's understanding of love.
Illusion vs. Reality
Lucy grapples with the idealized image of M. Paul as a 'Christian hero' versus the reality of his humble, flawed existence.
Religion and Hypocrisy
The chapter explores religious devotion and hypocrisy through the characters of Père Silas and M. Paul, and Lucy's Protestant skepticism.
Characters to notice
- Lucy Snowe
Lucy is the narrator and protagonist, reflecting on her feelings for M. Paul and her visit to the Rue des Mages.
- M. Paul Emanuel
M. Paul is the subject of Lucy's thoughts; he reveals his humble living conditions and discusses his past with Justine Marie.
- Madame Beck
Madame Beck advises Lucy to forget M. Paul, but her words have the opposite effect.
- Père Silas
Père Silas tells Lucy the story of M. Paul's past, including his devotion to Justine Marie.
- Justine Marie Sauveur
Justine Marie is the deceased woman to whom M. Paul was devoted; her portrait and story are central to the chapter.
Key passages
“Forget him? Ah! they took a sage plan to make me forget him—the wiseheads! They showed me how good he was; they made of my dear little man a stainless little hero.”
Lucy sarcastically notes that Madame Beck's attempt to make her forget M. Paul backfired by highlighting his virtues.
Lucy's ironic reflection on the unintended consequences of Madame Beck's advice.
“He had become my Christian hero: under that character I wanted to view him.”
Lucy now sees M. Paul as a chivalrous, saintly figure and desires to observe him in that light.
Lucy's idealization of M. Paul after learning of his past.
“I black my boots... I brush my paletôt. Je fais mon lit et mon ménage; I seek my dinner in a restaurant; my supper takes care of itself; I pass days laborious and loveless; nights long and lonely.”
M. Paul describes his humble, solitary life, emphasizing his poverty and lack of domestic comforts.
M. Paul's candid revelation of his austere living conditions to Lucy.