Gods & Monsters
Pan’s Patisserie
by Mahurin, ShelbyThe chapter opens with Reid observing the aftermath of a chaotic battle, where Lou clings to her mother while others navigate the emotional and physical wreckage. Coco and blood witches construct a vine bridge, allowing survivors like Célie and her companions to cross. Some witches show deference, while others, like a distraught Dame Blanche, react violently, forcing Jean Luc to intervene. The Oracle’s Hand, Elvire, prepares to depart with the dead, hinting at unresolved tensions and future encounters. Reid remains torn between following Coco and staying with Lou, ultimately choosing the latter as Coco insists Lou needs him more.
Reid’s reunion with his mother, Madame Labelle, becomes a poignant moment of relief and vulnerability. He finds her healed and vibrant, thanks to Babette’s blood magic, and embraces her fiercely. Their banter reveals a deep bond, though Madame Labelle’s playful scolding of Babette for past mischief lightens the mood. The conversation turns somber as they discuss Auguste’s death, with Reid expressing bitterness over his father’s cruelty. Madame Labelle, though sympathetic, focuses on Reid’s well-being, urging him to return to Lou while she watches the sunrise, symbolizing hope amid the devastation.
As Reid prepares to rejoin Lou, he stumbles upon a heartbreaking scene: Beau, Gabrielle, and Violette mourning the deaths of Ismay and Victoire, surrounded by fallen witches. The raw grief of his siblings strikes Reid deeply, forcing him to confront missed opportunities for connection with Victoire. The moment underscores the personal toll of the conflict, blending familial love with regret. Beau’s sobs and the girls’ anguish highlight the chapter’s themes of loss and resilience, leaving Reid emotionally shaken yet resolved to cherish his remaining bonds.
The chapter closes with a mix of closure and unresolved threads. Reid’s interactions with his mother and siblings emphasize the importance of family, even in the face of tragedy. Meanwhile, Lou’s stillness with her mother and Coco’s departure with Beau suggest lingering emotional journeys. The sunrise Madame Labelle awaits symbolizes renewal, but the deaths of Victoire and others serve as stark reminders of the cost of war. Reid’s internal conflict—between duty to Lou and his own familial ties—sets the stage for future reconciliation and healing.
FAQs
1. How does the chapter illustrate the theme of reconciliation between former enemies, and what specific interactions demonstrate this?
Answer:
The chapter shows several instances of reconciliation between former enemies, particularly between the Chasseurs and witches. Coco’s tentative greeting of the witches Corinne and Barnabé—who remembered her from childhood—demonstrates this, as does their act of baring their throats in submission. Additionally, Babette’s healing of Madame Labelle, despite their past conflicts, shows reconciliation in action. These interactions highlight the possibility of moving beyond historical animosities, especially when characters share personal connections or acknowledge past debts. The chapter suggests that reconciliation often begins with small, personal gestures rather than grand declarations.2. Analyze Reid’s emotional journey in this chapter. How does his reunion with his mother contrast with his observations of Lou’s grief?
Answer:
Reid experiences a mix of relief, love, and lingering tension in this chapter. His reunion with Madame Labelle is emotionally charged—he crushes her in a hug, expresses gratitude for her survival, and even tells her he loves her for the first time. This contrasts sharply with his silent vigil for Lou, who remains immobilized by grief under her mother’s body. While Reid finds comfort in his mother’s warmth and humor, he recognizes Lou’s pain is deeper and more unresolved. His decision to stay with Lou after ensuring his mother’s safety shows his growing emotional maturity and prioritization of their bond.3. What role does humor play in easing the chapter’s heavier themes, and how does Madame Labelle specifically contribute to this?
Answer:
Humor provides much-needed levity amid the chapter’s themes of loss and trauma. Madame Labelle’s witty remarks—such as her complaint about Babette dyeing her hair blue or her teasing about Reid naming future children after her—soften the gravity of recent events. Even when discussing Auguste’s death, she lightens the mood by imagining him suffering in the afterlife “with rats.” Her banter with Reid about Father Achille further defuses tension. This humor serves as a coping mechanism, allowing characters (and readers) to process pain without being overwhelmed by it.4. How does the chapter handle the aftermath of violence and death, and what does the final scene with Gabrielle, Violette, and Beau reveal about communal grief?
Answer:
The chapter portrays grief as both personal and collective. While Lou’s solitary mourning is private, the final scene shows communal grief: Beau sobbing with Gabrielle and Violette over Ismay and Victoire’s bodies, their anguish raw and shared. This contrast highlights how loss affects relationships differently. The witches’ presence around the bodies also underscores that the battle’s toll extends beyond individual factions. The scene emphasizes that grief can unite people across divides, as seen in Beau’s physical embrace of the girls—a gesture that mirrors Reid’s earlier protectiveness over his own family.5. Critical Thinking: How does the setting (e.g., the bridge, the sunrise, winter jasmine) symbolically reflect the chapter’s themes of transition and hope?
Answer:
The bridge of vines symbolizes connection and tentative steps toward reconciliation, literally spanning a chasm between characters. The impending sunrise represents a new beginning after darkness, mirroring Madame Labelle’s desire to “watch the sun rise” as a metaphor for renewal. The winter jasmine blooming beside her bench—a flower that thrives in cold months—suggests resilience and hope persisting amid hardship. These elements collectively reinforce the chapter’s message: even in the wake of destruction, there are signs of growth and the possibility of rebuilding, both physically and emotionally.
Quotes
1. “They’d even bared their throats before leaving to find their kin. A sign of submission.”
This moment captures a significant shift in power dynamics between the witches and the protagonists, symbolizing both reconciliation and the end of conflict. The gesture of submission marks a turning point in their fraught relationship.
2. “She was here. She was alive.”
Reid’s visceral relief upon seeing his mother safe underscores the chapter’s themes of family and survival amid chaos. The repetition and italicized emphasis make this a powerful emotional anchor in the narrative.
3. “I love you. I don’t think I’ve ever told you.”
This vulnerable admission between Reid and his mother represents a key character growth moment, breaking his emotional restraint. It contrasts sharply with their usual banter, revealing deeper layers in their relationship.
4. “You shall visit at least thrice a week, and you and Louise shall name your firstborn child after me. Perhaps your second too.”
Madame Labelle’s humorous yet heartfelt demands lighten the mood while reinforcing familial bonds. The quote exemplifies the chapter’s balance of wit and tenderness amid trauma.
5. “My siblings. Though I hadn’t known Victoire as well as Beau, I could have. I would have.”
Reid’s realization about lost opportunities with his family underscores the chapter’s reflections on grief and reconciliation. The italicized resolve adds poignancy to this closing emotional beat.