The Nightingale: Chapter 33 Summary & Analysis

Isabelle wakes up and finds that she is being imprisoned by the Gestapo. Upon assessing her situation, she recalls what she was told earlier—that is, she needs to hold up under interrogation for 48 hours. Right after she regains consciousness, the German authorities interrogate Isabelle about the Nightingale’s identity. They claim to know that Isabelle works for the Nightingale and want the truth. When Isabelle says that she does not know anything, the authorities beat her.

However, no matter how many times the German authorities hit Isabelle, she doesn’t give up any important information. Instead, she continues to claim that her name is Juliette Gervaise and that she doesn’t know what they are talking about. To stay strong, Isabelle thinks about her family and how much she loves them. In particular, she thinks about Vianne and wishes that the two of them had left on better terms.

In Carriveau, Vianne witnesses a horrific scene. All around town, the Nazis have hung bodies from streetlamps to warn French civilians about rebelling. Vianne has heard that it is not uncommon for the Nazis to execute French civilians en masse for even the smallest act of rebellion. As Vianne walks around town, someone grabs her and pulls her into an alleyway. At first, she is frightened, but then she realizes that her pursuer is Julien Rossignol. Julien asks Vianne for a safe place to talk, and so they head to Rachel’s house.

Once they are in Rachel’s home, Julien Rossignol informs Vianne about Isabelle’s situation. When Vianne asks how she can help her sister, Julien tells her that she must remain in Carriveau and protect Sophie. Vianne wants to show her father that she is just as brave as Isabelle. However, to do so would mean telling him about the children she’s been hiding, which would seem disingenuous and pathetic. Instead, she listens to Julien tell her about how she will need to treat Isabelle once she returns home. Julien knows that Isabelle will be fragile and need all the support in the world. As he says this, Vianne realizes that he is speaking from experience.

Additionally, Vianne deduces that Julien Rossignol plans to sacrifice himself in order to save Isabelle. She can tell he has already made up his mind and does not try to talk him out of it. Instead, she tells her father that she loves him and gives him a big hug. Then she rips a piece of cloth from his sleeve, which she plans to tie to her tree. After, Vianne and Julien exchange “I love yous,” and then Julien leaves. Vianne knows that it will be the last time she sees her father alive.

Vianne returns home and finds Von Richter there with an evil look on his face. He reveals that he knows Ari is not Vianne’s son and then asks her what she is willing to sacrifice in order to keep him. Vianne tells Von Richter that she will do anything to keep Ari safe. This answer satisfies Von Richter; he then undresses Vianne and rapes her.