Fear. A four letter word holding much more meaning than what catches the eye. While reading The Nightingale, I could feel, almost taste the fear of the residence of France during the German occupation. The people ate, drank, slept, mused, and breathed fear. It was an inescapable envelope of disaster. The French people felt as though danger lingered in the shadows of the town and crept into their homes as an unsolicited guest. The French felt unsafe in their own homes. You could only wonder how someone would not feel safe in their own home; but at the beginning of the occupation, the French were forced to open their homes to Nazi soldiers sent to billet with them. If you were uncomfortable with the living arrangements and decided to retaliate,
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Within the story, we meet two important characters. Vianne Mauriac and her sister, Isabelle Rossignol. These two women are as different as night and day. Vianne lived in a world of fear. A big fear of Vianne's was what would come of her sister when Isabelle's personality and opinions became too boisterous and could possibly get Isabelle in a lethal amount of trouble. Vianne is a very anxious character. When she was taken into town hall and first met Sturmbannführer Von Richter, she was a bit afraid. The book says, "...her voice unsteady, her hands shaking just a little." (pg 305) showing her nervousness. Another fear of Vianne's was endangering her children. Leaving her children, Sophie and Daniel, home alone while she went into town frightened Vianne. "I have an errand to run today. You will stay home with Daniel. Lock the door." …show more content…
Isabelle only feared not being loved. She wanted someone to love her the way she loved them. Isabelle wanted to be wanted (pg 77). Growing up, after her mother died, her father sent her and Vianne away to live with Madame Dumas so she felt as though he had stopped loving her. After Vianne met Antoine and had a miscarriage, she pushed Isabelle away so she didn't think her sister loved her either. After many years in different homes, Isabelle tries to return to her father who in return still does not want to be bothered by her. Regarding the war, Isabelle loathed the Nazis and their idea of occupying France. She was disgusted with the way they had a thirst for blood of the innocent. "I am sure every red-blooded man in my regiment noticed you." "Funny you would mention blood..." (pg 77). No matter where Isabelle was, she voiced her opinion about the Germans. "She reached into her pocket and pulled out her piece of chalk. When she was sure the coast was clear, she drew a huge V for victory on the poster, obliterating as much of the image as she could." (pg 93) She didn't think of punishments when she was arguing right or wrong. She wanted everyone to get the rights many were being deprived of. During her speech, Vianne says, "Isabelle and my father, Julien Rossignol, and their friends ran the Nightingale escape route [through the Pyrenees mountains]. Together they
Within the story, we meet two important characters. Vianne Mauriac and her sister, Isabelle Rossignol. These two women are as different as night and day. Vianne lived in a world of fear. A big fear of Vianne's was what would come of her sister when Isabelle's personality and opinions became too boisterous and could possibly get Isabelle in a lethal amount of trouble. Vianne is a very anxious character. When she was taken into town hall and first met Sturmbannführer Von Richter, she was a bit afraid. The book says, "...her voice unsteady, her hands shaking just a little." (pg 305) showing her nervousness. Another fear of Vianne's was endangering her children. Leaving her children, Sophie and Daniel, home alone while she went into town frightened Vianne. "I have an errand to run today. You will stay home with Daniel. Lock the door." …show more content…
Isabelle only feared not being loved. She wanted someone to love her the way she loved them. Isabelle wanted to be wanted (pg 77). Growing up, after her mother died, her father sent her and Vianne away to live with Madame Dumas so she felt as though he had stopped loving her. After Vianne met Antoine and had a miscarriage, she pushed Isabelle away so she didn't think her sister loved her either. After many years in different homes, Isabelle tries to return to her father who in return still does not want to be bothered by her. Regarding the war, Isabelle loathed the Nazis and their idea of occupying France. She was disgusted with the way they had a thirst for blood of the innocent. "I am sure every red-blooded man in my regiment noticed you." "Funny you would mention blood..." (pg 77). No matter where Isabelle was, she voiced her opinion about the Germans. "She reached into her pocket and pulled out her piece of chalk. When she was sure the coast was clear, she drew a huge V for victory on the poster, obliterating as much of the image as she could." (pg 93) She didn't think of punishments when she was arguing right or wrong. She wanted everyone to get the rights many were being deprived of. During her speech, Vianne says, "Isabelle and my father, Julien Rossignol, and their friends ran the Nightingale escape route [through the Pyrenees mountains]. Together they