Sentimental Education Part Three, Chapters 1 and 2 Summary & Analysis

Summary: Part Three, Chapter 1

From Rosanette’s house, Frédéric hears gunshots, and he goes down to the street. The revolution has reached a climax and the insurrection is getting stronger. The monarchy of King Philippe is disintegrating. Frédéric is unmoved by the dead and hurt men around him. He goes to the Place du Carrousel and joins others who are storming the palace, which the king has just vacated. He spots Hussonnet, and the two men go on together. Masses of people begin streaming into the palace, destroying it as they go. They throw the throne out the window, and men on the street burn it. Frédéric and Hussonnet eventually leave and sit in the Tuileries gardens, watching people go by. Frédéric spots Dussardier, who is fighting for the cause. He is elated that the Republic has triumphed.

Frédéric tries to visit Deslauriers the next day, but Deslauriers has left to fulfill his new role as a provincial commissioner. Frédéric goes to see Rosanette, who approves of the Republic. They walk together in the city.

One day, Frédéric sees Pellerin marching in the streets, demanding a new stock exchange that will deal with art. Regimbart, watching from the crowd, scoffs at the idea and goes on to complain about the state of France and the reactionaries, who are becoming more active. People begin to worry about their property.

Dambreuse mourns the fall of the monarchy, since the revolution has put his fortune in danger. He supported the monarchy and is worried that his property might be attacked; he believes that Frédéric can help him. He visits Frédéric and claims to be happy with the Republic. Dambreuse suggests that Frédéric run for the National Assembly, hinting that his influence could help him—if Frédéric helps him one day too. Frédéric grows excited about the idea of running, imagining himself as a deputy. Frédéric tells the plan to Deslauriers, Mademoiselle Vatnaz, and Rosanette, all of whom approve. However, Dambreuse is appalled by the speech Frédéric writes, although he keeps his opinion to himself.

Frédéric sets out to deliver his speech in public, at a forum moderated by Senecal. When Frédéric presents himself as a candidate, Senecal objects, stating that Frédéric didn’t support a democratic newspaper. He dismisses Frédéric. Regimbart next approaches the platform and introduces a patriot from Barcelona, who gives a speech in Spanish. Frédéric, angry, leaves and goes to Rosanette. But Rosanette, sitting by a fire and mending a dress, suddenly blames him for the revolution and the Republic that has resulted.

Mademoiselle Vatnaz and Rosanette argue frequently about the role of women. Mademoiselle Vatnaz supports a more active role for women in government and society, whereas Rosanette claims they should simply marry and have children. But their quarrel is forgotten when Rosanette sees that Mademoiselle Vatnaz has a gold sheep charm. This upsets Rosanette, and she reveals that she is in love with Delmar, who had given the charm to Mademoiselle Vatnaz. She assures Frédéric that she is simply bemoaning her financial problems since the prince left and that she really loves him. Rosanette gets a new apartment that Frédéric helps to furnish. Frédéric spends almost every night there, but one morning he meets Arnoux on the stairs—he is apparently still her lover.

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