Interpretive Essay on The Song at the Scaffold

English 11
4th Quarter
Andre Bargo
ID: 1044337.01
August 15, 2022
Blanche and Sister Marie

Set during the French Revolution, Gertrud von Le Fort’s The Song at the Scaffold tells

the story of the devoted Carmelite nuns of Compiègne who were executed and martyred to

defend their Christian faith. Among the Carmelite nuns is Blanche de la Force, the fearful

daughter of an agnostic father. Another character and member of the Carmelites is Sister Marie

of the Incarnation, the novice mistress who becomes the sole survivor of the Carmelites.

Although Blanche shows an apprehensive nature and Sister Marie shows a more courageous and

devoted manner, both show a strong faith in their devoted service as Carmelite nuns.

One of the main differences between Blanche and Sister Marie is their nature and their

relationship with their leader and prioress, Mother Theresa. Blanche’s nature is mainly curious,

albeit in a fearful manner due to her trauma. This is evident during the Christmas incident when

she accidentally breaks the Infant King after noticing its missing crown. 1 Mother Theresa sees

Blanche as faithful, despite her fear and mistakes. After the incident, she had to choose between

keeping Blanche or sending her out, but she decided against the former, knowing that Blanche’s

1
Gertrud von Le Fort, The Song at the Scaffold (North Carolina: TAN Books, 2014), 41. All
subsequent references will be noted parenthetically in the text.
fear rests on God (47). On the contrary, Sister Marie is brave and confident, as well as a

compelling desire to choose martyrdom, much to her requests from Mother Theresa and Abbe

Kiener. As for Mother Theresa’s relationship with Sister Marie, she seems to appraise Marie,

sometimes addressing her as ‘right-hand’ or ‘motherly daughter’ (21). However, Sister Marie

sometimes feels an urge to remove Blanche from the convent due to her fears, in which Mother

Theresa disagrees on.

Another notable difference between the two is their fear as they serve in times of the

French Revolution. On one hand, Sister Marie shows almost no signs of fear as she shows great

confidence and bravery over any threats from the Revolution. For example, when the

commissioners of Compiègne came to the Carmelite convent for inspection, Sister Marie

accompanies them and answers their questions not with fear, but with bold determination. As an

official attempts to take Blanche’s hand after interviewing her, Sister Marie intervenes and tells

him that he is “exceeding [his] authority” (27). On the other hand, Blanche does not handle fear

very well and is easily frightened and startled at even the slightest disturbance. For instance,

Blanche retreats to the rear wall of her cell and becomes terror-stricken to respond to the

official’s questions (27). The way how both characters handle fear contrasts greatly due to their

differing natures.

But despite their differences, they share the same grace in finding solace in times of fear.

Blanche and Sister Marie share a trait of courageousness to overcome their certain fears. The

same applies greatly to their devoted faith in their service. Blanche shows this courage and
acceptance of grace as she praises Mother Teresa and Sister Marie and when she offers herself

completely into her service as a novice to the convent (24). This courage is very evident from

Sister Marie, since she displays a very determined demeanor and confidence. She easily defends

herself and Blanche from an ill-mannered official who requests that the nuns leave the convent

(29). These two characters, even if they both contrast in nature, are full devotees to their

Christian faith and will defend it despite the threats.

Both Blanche de la Force and Sister Marie of the Incarnation, although showing

differences in their nature and behavior, share the same devotion and faithfulness in their

services to the Lord. Blanche’s traumatic fears and uneasiness causes her to be dependent on

both Sister Marie and her leader Mother Teresa, while Sister Marie’s confidence gives her an

undying bravery over any threats and even martyrdom. The latter handles fear easily when in

dire situations while the former cannot handle fear very well and is easily disturbed. Despite this,

they both show a never-ending courage and devotion, offering themselves completely to our God

and our Lord Jesus Christ.