A Simple Heart

Paul is sent to study at a school in Caen. He is pleased, but Félicité feels the house has grown quiet in his absence. She begins to take Virginie to the daily catechism classes at the local church. Biblical language and scripture are unfamiliar to Félicité, but the artwork and the imagery in the church inspire “a wholesome respect for the Almighty and a profound fear of his wrath” (15). She feels increasingly drawn to Catholicism and begins to replicate many of the religious observances that Virginie is being taught. She follows in Virginie’s footsteps and asks to receive communion, though she does not feel as inspired as when she saw the little girl receive communion. Madame Aubain decides to send her daughter to a convent school for a better religious education. Félicité feels lonely once both children are gone. She asks Madame Aubain whether she can invite Victor Leroux, her nephew, to visit.

Félicité grows close to her nephew over the course of his regular visits. He follows in his father’s footsteps, becoming a fisherman. He always brings Félicité gifts from his short voyages. In exchange, she offers him food and alcohol. Sometimes, she gives him money. She performs chores for him without being asked so that he will continue to visit her. Paul and Virginie return home for their school holidays. While they have been away, Félicité discovers, they have both grown up. Félicité can no longer dote on the matured children as she once did. Victor tells Félicité that he has signed up for a two-year voyage. Félicité runs nearly 10 miles to say goodbye to him, but she misses his departure. She sees his ship in the distance, sailing away. Félicité prays for her nephew’s safety on his voyage to “the other side of the world” (19).

Félicité is concerned for her nephew. She cannot stop imagining the many different tragedies that might strike. At the convent school, the nuns say that Virginie’s health is deteriorating again. Madame Aubain is concerned for her daughter. Félicité tries to empathize with her employer, sharing her concerns for Victor, but Madame Aubain is dismissive; her behavior demonstrates her belief that he is “not worth bothering about” (20). This hurts Félicité, who has always viewed Virginie and Victor as equals, but she soon gets over her feelings. She goes to Monsieur Bourais, asking him to use a map to show her the progress of Victor’s voyage. He points to Havana, Cuba, where the ship has supposedly made port. When Félicité mentions that she thought she might be able to see the house where Victor is staying on the map, Monsieur Bourais laughs at her naivety.

A letter for Félicité arrives, informing her that Victor died because of excessive bloodletting. Madame Aubain gives permission for Félicité to visit her sister, but Félicité does not want to go. She does not believe that the rest of the family will care about Victor’s death. She is silent, masking her devastation in public. At night, however, she allows her grief to overwhelm her.

Virginie’s health worsens: She may have pneumonia. Félicité joins Madame Aubain in a desperate rush to be at Virginie’s bedside at the convent. As they ride in the carriage, however, Félicité realizes that she has forgotten to close the gate. She leaps out, allowing the carriage to continue without her. She arrives at the convent the following day, by which time Virginie has died. Félicité stays beside Virginie’s bed for two days mourning the death of the little girl, eventually placing a lock of Virginie’s hair inside her own dress so that they will never be apart again. Félicité imagines that she is burying Victor alongside the little girl, as she was denied the opportunity to bury her nephew. Madame Aubain is devastated by her daughter’s death. She curses God, the doctors, and then herself. She tells people that she has seen the ghosts of her dead husband and daughter.

As the years pass by, Monsieur Bourais disappears from the town in mysterious circumstances. Many of Madame Aubain’s old friends die. During this time, a man named the Baron de Larsonnière moves to the area. He was once a consul in America but now has been given a government post in Pont-l’Évêque. He moves to the town with his family and his pet parrot, Loulou. Paul also returns home, but he throws himself into alcohol and gambling rather than finding a job. Madame Aubain quietly pays the debts that her son accrues, but he immediately begins to gamble again. Félicité overhears the pained sighs of her employer each night.

Madame and Félicité regularly share their memories of Virginie, even years after her death. While taking Virginie’s “sorry collection of objects” out to be aired (27), they finally embrace. The tender moment unites them as equals. From this moment on, Félicité is even more loyal to her employer. More years pass by, and Félicité only becomes kinder and more selfless. In addition to her job, she dedicates time to caring for cholera victims, refugees, and Colmiche, a man ostracized for his participation in the Reign of Terror who has been bullied by the local children. Colmiche dies and Félicité organizes a mass in his honor. Baron de Larsonnière receives a promotion and must leave the town. His wife donates Loulou the parrot to Madame Aubain after Félicité remarks that her employer would like to have him. The parrot is from America, which makes Félicité think of Victor.