Serpent & Dove
A Dangerous Game: Lou
by Mahurin, ShelbyLou follows Reid and Célie through a crowd, observing their intimate interaction with growing irritation. When she attempts to trail them through a hidden door, the Archbishop intercepts her, warning against envy and blaming her for Reid’s unhappiness. He accuses Lou of corruption, claiming Célie is the ideal woman Reid should have married. Lou defiantly counters his hypocrisy, asserting his own moral failings, before storming off to continue her pursuit. The confrontation reveals the Archbishop’s disdain for Lou and his role in Reid’s forced marriage.
Entering a kitchen, Lou discovers an open door leading to a snow-covered garden where Reid and Célie are deep in conversation. She eavesdrops as Célie pleads with Reid to seek an annulment, insisting their love can still prevail. Reid resists, citing his marital vows, though his conflicted emotions are evident. Célie’s venomous remarks about Lou—calling her a thief and a whore—stir Lou’s anger, but Reid defends his wife, revealing a shift in his feelings despite his loyalty to Célie.
The tension escalates as Célie demands to know if Reid loves Lou. He hesitates, admitting he could grow to care for her, which devastates Célie. She recalls his past declarations of love for her and struggles to reconcile his changed feelings. Reid’s refusal to hurt Lou, even as he acknowledges his lingering attachment to Célie, underscores his internal struggle between duty and desire. Lou, hidden and heart pounding, grapples with the revelation of his potential affection for her.
The chapter ends with Lou’s emotional turmoil as she witnesses the raw confrontation between Reid and Célie. His unwillingness to betray Lou, despite Célie’s pleas, hints at his evolving loyalty. Lou’s initial jealousy gives way to a mix of hope and insecurity, leaving her questioning her place in Reid’s life. The scene sets the stage for further conflict, as unspoken feelings and unresolved tensions threaten to unravel the fragile bonds between the three characters.
FAQs
1. How does the Archbishop characterize Lou and her influence on Reid? What does this reveal about his perspective on their relationship?
Answer:
The Archbishop portrays Lou as a corrupting heathen with a hedonistic upbringing, blaming her for Reid’s unhappiness. He claims they “stole a future” from Reid and that Célie represents an ideal Reid could have been happy with (p. 283). This reveals his moralistic worldview, where Lou’s unconventional nature is sinful and Reid’s marriage to her is a punishment. His hypocrisy is evident when Lou counters that adultery is also a sin, yet he dismisses her perspective entirely, showing his bias against her.2. Analyze the significance of Reid’s conflicted feelings toward Lou and Célie. How does this tension drive the chapter’s emotional core?
Answer:
Reid’s struggle between duty (his vow to Lou) and lingering affection for Célie creates central tension. While he insists he won’t hurt Lou and could “maybe” grow to love her (p. 286), Célie’s accusation—”You said you loved me”—highlights his unresolved past. His physical withdrawal from Célie’s kiss (p. 285) contrasts with his emotional hesitation, underscoring his internal conflict. This duality humanizes Reid, making his loyalty to Lou—despite societal and personal pressures—a pivotal emotional arc.3. How does Lou’s eavesdropping on Reid and Célie’s conversation reflect her character development?
Answer:
Initially, Lou dismisses their love letters as amusing (p. 285), but witnessing their intimacy forces her to confront her own insecurities. Her visceral reaction (“felt sick”) and fixation on Reid’s words (“Do you love her?”) reveal deepening emotional investment. The chapter marks a shift from her defiant sarcasm (e.g., mocking the Archbishop) to vulnerability, particularly when she acknowledges the invasion of privacy (“This is wrong. Private,” p. 284). This moment complicates her tough exterior, showing growth toward self-awareness.4. Evaluate Célie’s argument for an annulment. How does it contrast with Reid’s sense of honor?
Answer:
Célie frames the annulment as justice, claiming Lou “doesn’t deserve” Reid and belongs in prison (p. 285). She appeals to authority figures (the Archbishop, the king) and Reid’s past love, prioritizing her own desires. Reid, however, prioritizes integrity: “I made a vow. I will honor it” (p. 285). His refusal—despite admitting he doesn’t love Lou yet—highlights his commitment to principle over personal happiness, a stark contrast to Célie’s emotionally driven pleas. This clash underscores the theme of duty versus desire.5. What symbolic role does the setting (the dead herb garden) play in this scene?
Answer:
The snow-covered garden, with its withered sage (symbolizing wisdom) and rosemary (traditionally tied to remembrance), mirrors the characters’ frozen emotional states. Reid and Célie’s relationship is “dead” yet preserved under snow, much like his lingering feelings. The icy breeze parallels Lou’s “glittering and cold” anger (p. 283), while the barren landscape reflects the barrenness of Célie’s hopes. The garden’s decay visually reinforces the chapter’s themes of lost futures and unresolved pasts.
Quotes
1. “‘I wouldn’t.’ He dropped my arm as if worried he’d catch something. ‘Envy is a mortal sin, child.’ / ‘So is adultery.’”
This sharp exchange between Lou and the Archbishop reveals the tension and hypocrisy at play, with Lou defiantly calling out the Archbishop’s moralizing while hinting at deeper relationship conflicts.
2. “‘We stole a future from him, you and I. Célie is everything a woman should be. Reid would have been happy.’ He looked back at me, and his mouth tightened. ‘Now he pays for both our sins.’”
The Archbishop’s bitter lament exposes his role in manipulating Reid’s life and his belief that Lou is a corrupting force, framing the central conflict of the chapter around guilt and sacrifice.
3. “‘I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, but you need to look in the mirror. There’s a special circle in Hell for liars and hypocrites, Your Eminence. Perhaps I’ll see you there.’”
Lou’s fiery retort to the Archbishop showcases her defiance and moral clarity, rejecting his accusations and turning his judgment back on him with biting irony.
4. “‘The Archbishop is the one who suggested it.’”
Reid’s revelation that the Archbishop orchestrated his marriage to Lou adds a layer of political and personal manipulation to the story, explaining much of the tension between the characters.
5. “‘No.’ He exhaled heavily, looking down. ‘But I think—I think maybe I could—’”
Reid’s hesitant admission about his growing feelings for Lou, despite his loyalty to Célie, marks a pivotal emotional turning point in the chapter and the broader relationship dynamics.