Serpent & Dove
La Voisin: Lou
by Mahurin, ShelbyLou grapples with physical and emotional turmoil after surviving a traumatic ordeal, marked by a disfiguring scar and lingering effects of her mother’s poison. Despite her insistence that she’s fine, her body betrays her weakness, and her mind reels from the revelation that Reid, her love interest, is a witch—a fact she overheard alongside his uncharacteristic swearing. Reid and Coco fuss over her, with Reid carrying her despite her protests, though she secretly relishes his closeness. The tension between them is palpable, but Lou’s humor and Madame Labelle’s timely exit lighten the mood momentarily.
Alone for the first time since their ordeal, Lou and Reid confront the weight of their shared history. Reid is visibly tormented by guilt, believing he failed to protect her, while Lou reassures him that she never blamed him for his past actions or beliefs. Their conversation reveals deep emotional wounds, with Reid struggling to reconcile his love for Lou with his self-loathing. Lou, however, refuses to let him wallow, reminding him of the complexity of their world and how he defied his own prejudices by choosing her.
Lou reflects on her childhood naivety, where she saw the world in stark binaries—huntsmen as enemies, witches as allies—until her mother’s betrayal shattered that simplicity. Reid’s arrival further complicated her worldview, as he, a Chasseur, defied her expectations by sparing her life. She acknowledges her own lies but emphasizes that their love transcends their past mistakes. Reid, overwhelmed by emotion, clings to her words, his guilt mingling with gratitude for her forgiveness.
The chapter culminates in a heartfelt confession from Reid, who pours out his love for Lou, admitting she has transformed his perspective on life. He vows never to be parted from her again, and Lou, moved to tears, reciprocates with a promise of unwavering devotion. Their emotional exchange underscores the chapter’s central theme: love’s power to bridge divides and heal wounds, even in a world fraught with conflict and prejudice.
FAQs
1. How does Lou’s physical and emotional state contrast with her repeated claim of being “fine”?
Answer:
Lou repeatedly insists she’s “fine,” but the chapter reveals significant physical and emotional distress that contradicts this claim. Physically, she describes her throat as barely held together by a disfiguring scar, her stomach unsettled from her mother’s drugs, and her legs numb from disuse. Emotionally, she’s reeling from the shock of discovering Reid is a witch and hearing him swear, which shakes her worldview. This contrast between her outward assertion and internal reality highlights her tendency to downplay vulnerability, possibly as a coping mechanism or to avoid worrying others, particularly Reid who shows deep concern for her wellbeing.2. Analyze how Reid’s character is developed through his interactions with Lou in this chapter.
Answer:
Reid’s character is portrayed as deeply compassionate, conflicted, and devoted to Lou. Despite his own distress, he prioritizes Lou’s safety, rushing to her even as she vomits bile. His guilt over failing to protect her reveals his moral rigor and self-loathing, but Lou challenges this by absolving him of blame, emphasizing his growth beyond rigid beliefs (e.g., accepting her as a witch). His emotional confession—”I love you, Lou”—and tears underscore his vulnerability and transformation from a staunch Chasseur to someone who values love over dogma. The chapter also shows his protectiveness (e.g., cautioning Madame Labelle about walking) and his willingness to confront hard truths, as seen in their intimate dialogue.3. How does the theme of shattered worldviews manifest in Lou and Reid’s conversation?
Answer:
Both characters grapple with the collapse of their once binary perspectives. Lou recounts how her childhood belief in “black and white” morality (witches as good, Huntsmen as evil) was shattered when her mother tried to kill her. Similarly, Reid’s identity as a Chasseur—rooted in opposing witchcraft—is upended by his love for Lou, a witch. Their mutual admissions (“I shouldn’t have lied”/“I said terrible things”) reflect this turmoil. Lou’s acknowledgment that Reid “crushed what was left of [her worldview] to dust” underscores the theme: love and experience force them to reconcile contradictions, moving beyond dogma to embrace complexity. This mirrors the broader narrative arc of challenging societal prejudices.4. Evaluate the significance of Madame Labelle and Coco’s departure from the scene.
Answer:
Their exit serves both practical and symbolic purposes. Practically, it creates privacy for Lou and Reid’s pivotal conversation, allowing them to address their unresolved tensions without inhibition. Symbolically, Madame Labelle’s insistence on walking (“My body needs to remember what it’s like to be a body”) parallels Lou and Reid’s need to reconnect physically and emotionally after trauma. Coco’s teasing remark (“get out of earshot”) and eye-rolling humor lighten the mood, but her willingness to leave also signals respect for their relationship. The scene thus emphasizes community support while highlighting the couple’s need for solitary reconciliation.5. How does the chapter use physical touch and proximity to convey emotional intimacy?
Answer:
Physical interactions are central to expressing unspoken emotions. Reid carries Lou, whose arms around his neck and breath-taking-in of his scent signal trust and attraction. Their foreheads touching and Lou cupping Reid’s cheek are tender gestures that contrast with earlier tension, underscoring reconciliation. When Reid “sank to the ground, pulling [Lou] down with him,” the motion mirrors his emotional surrender. These details—paired with dialogue about love and forgiveness—show how touch bridges their emotional gaps, especially when words fail (e.g., Reid’s tearful confession). The chapter thus frames physical closeness as a language of its own, vital to healing their rift.
Quotes
1. “Reid was here. And he was a witch. And—and he’d just said fuck. Perhaps I’d died after all. That was certainly more plausible than Reid swearing with such delicious proficiency.”
This quote captures Lou’s shock and disbelief at Reid’s transformation and unexpected behavior, marking a pivotal moment where her worldview is challenged. The humorous tone contrasts with the serious implications of Reid’s changed identity.
2. “My body needs to remember what it’s like to be a body.”
Madame Labelle’s poignant statement reflects the chapter’s theme of physical and emotional recovery after trauma. It serves as a metaphor for the characters’ journeys to reclaim their identities after life-altering events.
3. “When I was a child, I saw the world in black and white… Then my mother tried to kill me, and suddenly, that sharp, clear-cut world shattered into a million pieces.”
This quote represents Lou’s central character development - her realization that morality exists in shades of gray. It explains her capacity to forgive Reid despite their complicated history and opposing backgrounds.
4. “I love you, Lou… It doesn’t matter you’re a witch. The way you see the world… I want to see it that way too.”
Reid’s emotional confession signifies the climax of their relationship arc, demonstrating how love has transformed his rigid beliefs. This quote encapsulates the novel’s central theme of love transcending societal divisions.