Isola by Allegra Goodman: Chapter 12 Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Marguerite rushes to her chamber in distress after Roberval informs her that she must sail with him to the New World. Damienne refuses to stay behind, insisting on accompanying her out of loyalty to Marguerite’s late mother. Desperate for escape, Marguerite writes a secret letter to Madame D’Artois, asking her to intercede with Madame Montfort to offer refuge. She gives the letter to the maid Alys, who promises to have her sweetheart Jean deliver it. Roberval intercepts the letter and forces Marguerite to read Psalm 11, exposing her deceit. He humiliates her with quiet, psychological cruelty. Later, Marguerite beats Alys with the psalm book. Damienne comforts her, reaffirming her vow to stay by Marguerite’s side.
Key Events
- Marguerite learns she is to accompany Roberval to New France.
- Damienne refuses to remain behind and vows to go with her.
- Marguerite secretly writes a letter seeking help from Madame Montfort.
- Alys agrees to have Jean deliver the letter but betrays Marguerite to Roberval.
- Roberval confronts Marguerite, makes her read Psalm 11, and interrogates her about her attempted escape.
- Marguerite, overcome with fury, beats Alys with the book of Psalms.
- Damienne gently rebukes Marguerite for trusting a servant but reaffirms her loyalty.
Character Development
- Marguerite shifts from desperation to calculated action, then to shame and rage. Her failed attempt at resistance deepens her sense of powerlessness.
- Damienne exemplifies unwavering loyalty; she refuses to abandon Marguerite even when given the chance to stay safely behind.
- Roberval reveals his manipulative cruelty. He uses scripture not for instruction but as a weapon to humiliate and control.
- Alys proves untrustworthy, acting out of fear or self-interest rather than loyalty to Marguerite.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Captivity vs. Freedom: Marguerite is physically and psychologically trapped—first by Roberval’s command, then by her own failed plot. Her attempt to send a letter is a desperate bid for liberation.
- Betrayal: Alys’s betrayal underscores the danger of confiding in those who owe allegiance to a more powerful master. Marguerite’s trust is repaid with exposure.
- Faith and Hypocrisy: Roberval weaponizes the Psalms, twisting religious text to justify his dominion. Marguerite later uses the same book as a physical weapon, symbolizing how faith can be corrupted.
- Power and Manipulation: Roberval’s quiet, patient cruelty is more terrifying than outright violence. He enjoys Marguerite’s fear and treats her resistance as entertainment.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in Marguerite’s struggle. Her failed escape attempt strips away any illusion of agency; Roberval now knows her true feelings and controls every avenue of resistance. The betrayal by Alys forces Marguerite to confront the limits of trust in a household where every servant ultimately answers to the master. Damienne’s refusal to leave despite the danger reinforces the theme of sacrificial loyalty, setting up the emotional stakes for the voyage ahead. The episode also deepens Roberval’s characterization as a predator who uses religious language to mask sadistic pleasure.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Marguerite write the letter to Madame D’Artois?
She hopes Madame D’Artois will persuade Madame Montfort to take her and Damienne into her household, thereby avoiding the dangerous voyage to New France.
2. How does Roberval use the Psalm to humiliate Marguerite?
He forces her to read aloud a psalm that condemns liars and evildoers, then asks pointed questions about her own deceit, making her feel exposed and worthless.
3. What does Damienne’s promise to Marguerite’s mother reveal about her character?
It shows that Damienne’s loyalty transcends fear or self-preservation; she considers her vow sacred and will endure any hardship to fulfill it.