The Wife Of Martin Guerre: Short Answer Questions and Themes
The Wife of Martin Guerre
Short answer questions
Rohan Liston
CHAPTER ONE: Artigues
1) Much of the first page is taken up with descriptions of the country. What does it communicate?
Descriptions of the land and country in which the characters live sets the scene and the time period of the story. On the first page, we are given images of isolation due to the heavy winter that "buried [the land] under whiteness". This gives us a view into the feudalist lifestyles of the peasants in the mountains, and the "leisure" they enjoyed despite their hard work.
2) Why is the marriage of Bertrande de Rols and Martin Guerre the first scene in this novel?
The marriage of Bertrande de Rols and Martin Guerre is the main focus of the entire story, which is the reason why the book begins in such a way. The story later goes back and explains the relationship between the two families and how their arranged marriage came about, but the initial focus is on the marriage itself in its infancy.
3) What does the reader learn of the families involved in the wedding in the first pages?
The reader learns that the families Guerre and de Rols are both rich and prosperous peasant families living in the village of Artigues. The families had been rivals for generations, ever since there was a misunderstanding between the great-grandfathers of the young couple. However, the birth and betrothal of Martin and Bertrande, who were born a very short time apart, marked the end of the families' quarrels.
4) Why is Martin so accepting when he is punished by his father?
Martin knows his place in the family. One day he will grow up to take his father's position at the head of the table as the cap d'hostal. He understands that if he has "no obedience for [his] father, [his] son will have none for [him]. He must learn to obey his father and learn from him in every way, so that he will be capable of filling his shoes when his father is gone. Otherwise, the family will be left in "ruin [and] despair".
Short answer questions
Rohan Liston
CHAPTER ONE: Artigues
1) Much of the first page is taken up with descriptions of the country. What does it communicate?
Descriptions of the land and country in which the characters live sets the scene and the time period of the story. On the first page, we are given images of isolation due to the heavy winter that "buried [the land] under whiteness". This gives us a view into the feudalist lifestyles of the peasants in the mountains, and the "leisure" they enjoyed despite their hard work.
2) Why is the marriage of Bertrande de Rols and Martin Guerre the first scene in this novel?
The marriage of Bertrande de Rols and Martin Guerre is the main focus of the entire story, which is the reason why the book begins in such a way. The story later goes back and explains the relationship between the two families and how their arranged marriage came about, but the initial focus is on the marriage itself in its infancy.
3) What does the reader learn of the families involved in the wedding in the first pages?
The reader learns that the families Guerre and de Rols are both rich and prosperous peasant families living in the village of Artigues. The families had been rivals for generations, ever since there was a misunderstanding between the great-grandfathers of the young couple. However, the birth and betrothal of Martin and Bertrande, who were born a very short time apart, marked the end of the families' quarrels.
4) Why is Martin so accepting when he is punished by his father?
Martin knows his place in the family. One day he will grow up to take his father's position at the head of the table as the cap d'hostal. He understands that if he has "no obedience for [his] father, [his] son will have none for [him]. He must learn to obey his father and learn from him in every way, so that he will be capable of filling his shoes when his father is gone. Otherwise, the family will be left in "ruin [and] despair".