The Women of Chateau Lafayette

“Men hear the drum and march off, but what’s a girl like me supposed to do in a world at war?”

This excerpt highlights the fact that women’s contributions to various war efforts have historically been deemphasized. This statement foreshadows the fact that the novel will endeavor to celebrate women’s agency and efforts, and ultimately, the story works to reinstate all three of the main characters as active agents during their respective wars.

“I’ve always believed that you shouldn’t put your neck out for others unless you want it chopped.”

This quote alludes to Marthe’s forthcoming journey and considerable character development throughout World War II. Although she starts out by only prioritizing her interests, she will eventually become a hero in her own right and put her life on the line for others.

“We’re all held at gunpoint and it’s impossible to know which of the new laws the Marshal is forcing down our throats and which Hitler is forcing down his.”

In this instance, Dray outlines the difficult and confusing political setting in the wake of France’s defeat to Hitler, as the Vichy government led by Marshal Pétain collaborated with Hitler’s regime and aligned itself with Nazi policies. This passage thus foreshadows the necessity for French citizens to delicately balance their need to survive with their urge to rebel against the injustices that surround them.