Bertrande's Decision example essay topic

"Bertrande's decision to expose Arnaud as an impostor was both selfish and foolish" Throughout the Novel "The Wife of Martin Guerre" by Janet Lewis, the decision made by Bertrande to expose Arnaud as Martin's impostor was neither selfish nor foolish on her behalf, as it was understandable in the context of the novel's time and culture. As Bertrande becomes more aware that the returned Martin is an impostor she, in turn, becomes distanced from Martin's sisters, the priest and the townsfolk as she is determined to expose the awful truth. Those around her see this decision as very foolish and feel it carries a sense of betrayal. Although the impostor's return has created security and prosperity, Bertrande feels that she has no option other than to expose Arnaud so she can maintain a personal sense of justice and morality. Whilst this can be seen as foolish and selfish, it is also common sense and moral a decision. Bertrande was a very loyal and hard working housewife within this patriarchal household.

Even after Martin so cruelly abandoned his wife and child, Bertrande remained strong, maintaining the care of their son and helping run the domestic life of the Guerre household herself. Throughout the 8 long solitary years she held her life and her son Sanxi's, together. When Martin imposts, Bertrande is aware and is uncertain if Martin is genuine "He was a stockier figure, broader in the shoulders, developed, mature... ". This first realisation is reinforced when Martin begs for Bertrande's forgiveness and promises that he will never again leave her. He real martin would not have made such a promise.

After the birth of her first son Bertrande felt a strong sense of guilt, believing she has committed the sin of adultery. In this very religious period it was outrageous and very wrong to give birth to an illegitimate baby. This is summed up in the quote "It was like the shadow of a dark wing sweeping suddenly across the room, and then departing as swiftly as it had come". (p 37). This demonstrates Bertrande Knowledge of how bad the heinous act of adultery was, and how her guilt is now paramount and has brought her to face the facts of this sham marriage. Bertrande now needed to expose Arnaud as Martin's impostor. This now means that Arnaud could be tried for Rape, Plagiarism, deceit, misrepresentation and theft among others.

She was determined to have Arnaud convicted so she could live within the moral boundaries of this society, and gain her own "solitary justice". Bertrande approached the Priest during confessional and the priest didn't give a second thought to this powerful allegation and ignored her for the fact that she was a woman. The women of 16th century Europe had a very hard times gaining recognition for themselves as their opinions were ignored and regarded as inferior, compared to males in their unjust culture. It was only when Bertrande gained the support of Pierre Guerre that people took notice of what Bertrande was saying as it now had credibility. Arnaud was tried in a court and was given the death sentence by decapitation for the heinous acts and crimes he had committed in the village of Artigues. Bertrande testified against her supposed husband and her opinion ended up carrying the most weight.

Ironically it carried none before the support of Pierre Guerre. Yet Bertrande was shattered upon hearing the verdict and cried out "Not death! No, no, I have not demanded his death!" (p 69). Bertrande never anticipated the death sentence, as she had only wanted a vindication of the truth, She asked for public penance, to pay a fine to the King and pay ten thousand livres to herself.

But the strict social structure of the time called for a harsher treatment and he had to be severely punished. The decision made by Bertrande to carry on with the case against Arnaud when it proceeds to Toulouse was selfish in some people's eyes, but it was mainly fuelled by self interest and justification. Bertrande was aware of the fact that she had sinned and this could be seen as her motion to set things straight. Close friends and family were delighted to have Martin back and they saw Bertrande as foolish for taking a stand against this man who was a good Cap d' hostel, husband and father.

Bertrande needed to ease her conscience as she had sinned; this trial of Arnaud was Bertrand's vindication for closure and for her own solitary justice. Bertrande is now "at last free, in her solitary justice, of both passions and of men". She now feels calmed of the guilt of unconsciously bearing an illegitimate child and having a sexual relationship with a man outside marriage. Therefore taking Arnaud to court at Rieu x was a justified action in her eyes, even though those people around her saw the decision as foolish and selfish. Martins harsh judgement of Bertrande was ironic as he accused Bertrande of being immoral in her actions, even though she did they right thing by those around her who were supportive of Martins impostor, if anyone could have been more immoral it would have been Martin Guerre for disobeying his father and waiting eight long years to return home. Bertrande was let down and dealt a harsh blow by the unjust and stern social system on which Artigues culture was built upon.

To say "Bertrande's decision to expose Arnaud as an impostor was both selfish and foolish" is not correct as Bertrande could have never lived with an impostor in the strict moral confines of 16th century society. Bertrande was let down and dealt a harsh blow by the harsh, unjust and stern social system on which Artigues culture was built upon.