This is an in-depth summary of the novel - La vengeance du pardon, perfect when studying for prelims or finals.
It has a list of all the important characters, relevant quotes and translations, and a detailed breakdown of each chapter - highlighting important scenes to know for exams. Good luck, a...
Important scenes in the book
*The black cat scenes
*The scenes in the prison
*Elise’s reactions after she visits the prison/sees Sam Louis
Characters
Elise, mother of 13th victim of Sam Louis
Sam Louis - murderer, in Alsace prison
Laure - Elise’s daughter, murdered by Sam Louis
Vartala - Sam’s mother, took him in as orphan
Cat - black with yellow eyes
Sisters (there are 3) - she is youngest
Lawyer and Vet in last two chapters.
, Important Scenes
Black cat scenes:
*SCENE 6
Elise finally succeeds in convincing the cat to approach her, instead of fleeing it
comes closer to her when she calls. But then Elise decides she doesn’t actually
want to care for the cat, nor open up her home to it, and shuts the door in its face.
This is an important part of the book as it draws parallel to what will happen later
in book between Elise and Sam Louis. Like the cat, she spends a lot of time
‘taming’ Sam, slowly gaining his trust. And exactly how she shuts out the cat just
as it decides to trust her, she turns her back on Sam Louis and leaves him for
good at the end of the novel.
*SCENE 7
Elise returns home from walking around Alsace, and sees the cat in her garden.
Despite her no longer giving it affection it’s chosen to stay. It chases butterflies
and birds like a tiger - the way it walks and pounces and carries itself - like a
predator.
This is important as it draws parallel to Sam Louis and his own portrayal of
himself as a predator/rapist/murderer later in the book.
*SCENE 8
He calls himself a tiger, and described his hunt for women much like that of the
black cat in the garden.
*SCENE 14
Elise goes to the vet, and is told the cat won’t make it and that she should say
goodbye. But when she enters the room it seems to come alive again, as though
her presence gave it something to fight for. The vet says it is a miracle. This is
exactly the same effect Elise has on Sam Louis at the end of novel.
During the call with the - *SCENE 15 - lawyer, he says that a miracle has
occurred, as since her visits Sam Louis has become a new man/shows remorse.
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