Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc · Chapter
Condemned Yet Unafraid explained
The University of Paris delivers its verdict on Joan, finding her guilty on all counts and declaring her voices to be those of devils (Belial, Satan, Behemoth).
What happens
The University of Paris delivers its verdict on Joan, finding her guilty on all counts and declaring her voices to be those of devils (Belial, Satan, Behemoth). Despite a final admonition by Pierre Maurice, Joan remains steadfast, refusing to recant even under threat of fire. The court adjourns, and sentence is pronounced for the next day, marking a grim anniversary of her past military triumph.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it represents the emotional and psychological peak of Joan's suffe…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Injustice and Corruption of Power
The court's predetermined verdict and the University's logical inconsistencies highlight the abuse of ecclesiastical authority to condemn Joan.
- Courage and Resilience
Joan's unwavering defiance in the face of death and her refusal to recant demonstrate extraordinary courage.
- Truth Versus Propaganda
The University's contradictory claims about Joan's voices (devils vs. angels) expose the manipulation of truth for political ends.
Characters to notice
- Joan of Arc
Remains immovable during final admonition, declaring she would not recant even if in the fire itself.
- Pierre Cauchon
Presides over the court, receives praise from the University but is disappointed by the lack of earthly reward.
- Pierre Maurice
Canon of Rouen who delivers the final admonition to Joan, urging her to renounce her errors.
- Louis de Conte
Narrator who observes the proceedings with sorrow, recalling Joan's past heroism on the same date a year earlier.
Key passages
“If I were under sentence, and saw the fire before me, and the executioner ready to light it—more, if I were in the fire itself, I would say none but the things which I have said in these trials; and I would abide by them till I died.”
Even if I were already condemned and the fire was lit beneath me, I would still maintain everything I have testified and never change my words.
Joan's final, resolute statement of defiance before the court.
“The University complimented him on his zeal in hunting down this woman 'whose venom had infected the faithful of the whole West,' and as recompense it as good as promised him 'a crown of imperishable glory in heaven.'”
The University praised Cauchon for his relentless persecution of Joan, offering him only a heavenly reward rather than the earthly archbishopric he craved.
Irony of the University's empty promise to Cauchon, highlighting his worldly ambitions.
