The Nightingale: Chapter 20 Summary & Analysis

Luckily, Isabelle does not have to cross the mountains to get back to France. Instead, she is able to take a train. Doing so doesn’t attract attention, and Isabelle has no problem making it back to Paris. On the train ride home, Isabelle is proud of herself. She feels that she has finally matured and done something meaningful with her life. Back in Paris, Isabelle thinks that Gaëtan is following her, although she is never able to spot him. She loves Gaëtan and wants to be with him, but she knows that love could get her killed.

Meanwhile, back in Carriveau, Vianne is having a difficult winter. She has almost run out of food, and there is no wood left to burn for warmth. Beck has been away, so Vianne has no guarantee that she will have resources to take care of Sophie. Although Beck’s presence can be uncomfortable, Vianne prefers it when he is around. Desperate, Vianne takes her mother’s pearls from Isabelle’s secret stash and pawns them off so she can buy food. At this point, Vianne realizes that Isabelle was completely right when she decided to make the stash under the barn. She is angry with herself for being so hard on her sister.

One day, Vianne wakes up and feels ill. Nonetheless, she decides to take Sophie to church, where they hear a sermon about community and resilience. On the way home from church, Vianne’s illness overtakes her, and she falls to the ground outside of her home. Moments later, Beck arrives and takes Vianne into the house. Then, he orders Sophie to fetch Rachel. Beck realizes that Vianne is sick because she has been giving all of her food to Sophie. Together, Beck and Rachel convince Vianne to eat so that she will survive. Vianne’s illness makes her sleep for a few days. However, while she is asleep, Beck stays by her side and takes care of her. 

In Paris, Isabelle continues helping airmen escape to Spain. The airmen regularly flirt with her; she is a sight for sore eyes, especially for the men who do not have a wife back home. Isabelle speaks with the airmen to verify their identities and to discuss the escape route. The men find that Isabelle’s presence is a great boost for morale.

Spring finally arrives, and Vianne spends a good deal of time in the garden. Although the weather is better, the Nazis have only grown worse. Not long after the start of spring, Sarah shows up at Vianne’s house and asks her if she will talk to Rachel. Sarah knows something is wrong, but she is not sure what. Vianne heads to Rachel’s house immediately to check on her friend.

Vianne arrives at Rachel’s house to find her friend distraught. Rachel explains that she is upset because she was given yellow stars that she and her children are expected to wear because they are Jewish. Rachel doesn’t want to explain to Sarah why she must wear the star, but she knows she has to. She calls Sarah into the room, and Sophie comes in with her. Rachel then tells Sarah that she must wear the yellow star from now on. Not wanting her friend to feel singled out, Sophie offers to wear a star as well. However, Rachel tells Sophie that she cannot. Watching this interaction fills Vianne with sadness.