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The Arab
Balducci is a French military policeman who puts the Arab into Daru’s custody at the schoolhouse. As a gendarme and an agent of the French colonial regime, Balducci is not simply an enforcer of law; he represents the uncompromising face of colonial rule. Although he can be kind, his purpose is absolute. In some ways he is a foil for Daru, as Balducci's adherence to a system that demands unquestioning obedience opposes Daru's internal struggle to follow dishonorable orders. The key difference between the two men is that, although Balducci isn't personally keen on the idea of turning in the Arab, he believes it must be done. Because Daru believes doing so would be an unspeakable act, he can’t see how it can be done. Balducci’s first loyalty is to law and order, regardless of any personal qualms he might have.
Balducci Quotes in The Guest
The The Guest quotes below are all either spoken by Balducci or refer to Balducci. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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The Guest Quotes
“Listen, Balducci,” Daru said suddenly, “all this disgusts me, and your boy first and foremost. But I won’t hand him over. Fight for myself, yes, if need be. But not that.”
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He listened to that breath so near and daydreamed without being able to sleep. In the room where he had slept alone for a year, this presence bothered him.
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The idiotic crime and the man himself revolted him, but to turn him in was dishonorable; just thinking about it filled him with humiliation.
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You handed over our brother. You will pay for this.
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Balducci Character Timeline in The Guest
The timeline below shows where the character Balducci appears in The Guest. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
The Guest
Daru walks out onto the schoolhouse’s terrace and sees Balducci, an old gendarme (police officer) he knows well. He is the one riding the horse,...
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As they drink tea, Daru offers the Arab a chair, but both he and Balducci have already made themselves comfortable. The Arab sips the tea hungrily, even though it’s too...
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...clear soon, and that when it does so the drought will undoubtedly return. He asks Balducci about the Arab’s crime and whether the man speaks French. Balducci says that the local...
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Balducci prepares to leave, offering Daru a revolver for protection, which the schoolmaster declines. Balducci presses...
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Daru still refuses to comply. He tells Balducci angrily that he can inform his superiors he won’t take the Arab anywhere. Despite Balducci’s...
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...insisting that Daru explain what is going to happen. He also wants to know if Balducci is coming back, and if Daru will accompany them to the police headquarters. Daru keeps...
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...to the edge of the terrace and thinks guiltily about the unkind note he sent Balducci away on. He feels empty and angry and still feels that odd sense of vulnerability...
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