Isola Chapter 13: Departure and Defiance
⚠️ 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
After writing a desperate letter to Roberval, Marguerite is consumed by secret rage. She wishes illness or accident on her guardian, though she pretends resignation. Roberval is busy in port preparing provisions and interviewing desperate colonists—all debtors, according to the laundress. Damienne warns Marguerite to stay silent. When Roberval summons her, he does not punish her but instead greets her warmly and orders new clothes, shoes, and a squirrel-lined cloak. He begins selling his possessions, including his silver and his precious cabinet. In May, Roberval commands Marguerite to pack immediately; they board the ship Anne the next morning. Damienne is terrified of the sea, but Marguerite helps her aboard, and Damienne declares she would not leave her.
Key Events
- Marguerite secretly wishes harm on Roberval, contrasting with her outward resignation.
- Roberval unexpectedly shows generosity, buying new clothes for Marguerite and Damienne.
- Roberval sells off his household goods, signaling a final break from his old life.
- The sudden order to pack and board the ship within a day.
- Marguerite and Damienne walk to the pier and board a small boat to reach the ship Anne.
- Damienne nearly cannot board the larger vessel due to fear; Marguerite calls to her and helps her up.
- Damienne declares her loyalty: “I would not leave you.”
Character Development
- Marguerite (the narrator): Her inner turmoil deepens—she is outwardly compliant but inwardly furious. This duality shows her growing resilience. Her brave act of helping Damienne aboard reveals a protective, decisive side.
- Damienne: Her fear of the sea is vividly shown, yet her love for Marguerite overcomes her terror. She becomes a symbol of steadfast loyalty.
- Roberval: His mercurial nature continues; after punishing Marguerite, he showers her with gifts. He appears cheerful about the voyage despite its dangers, underscoring his unpredictability.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Power and submission: Roberval’s generosity after breaking Marguerite’s will illustrates how power operates through rewards as well as punishments.
- Fear of the unknown: The sea represents both danger and possibility. Damienne’s terror and Marguerite’s wonder capture the colonists’ mixed emotions.
- Loyalty and dependence: Damienne’s vow not to leave Marguerite highlights the bonds that sustain characters in crisis.
- Objects and identity: Roberval’s selling of his cherished possessions—silver, goblets, cabinets—signifies a stripping away of material identity as he embraces a new calling.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 13 marks the decisive departure from France, ending the first major arc of Marguerite’s story. It crystallizes her internal conflict—obedience versus rebellion—and sets her relationship with Damienne as an emotional anchor for the dangerous voyage ahead. Roberval’s unpredictable generosity and the sudden boarding create a sense of irreversible change, preparing readers for the challenges of the New World.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Roberval become generous toward Marguerite after punishing her?
Roberval’s generosity is another tool of control. By catching and breaking Marguerite’s defiance, he then rewards her compliance, reinforcing his authority. His mercurial behavior keeps her off balance, making her more dependent on his favor.
2. How does Marguerite’s assistance to Damienne during boarding reveal her growth?
Earlier, Marguerite was passive and frightened. Here, she takes charge, calling Damienne to look up and reach for her hand. This shows her developing courage and ability to act under pressure, contrasting with her earlier helplessness.
3. What does the sea symbolize in this chapter?
The sea is both a physical threat and a symbol of transformation. Its vastness, lapping waves, and the ship’s rolling motion evoke danger and uncertainty, but also the possibility of a new life. For Damienne, it represents terror; for Marguerite, it inspires wonder mixed with fear.