Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Nightingale, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Morality and Impossible Choices
Antisemitism and Active Resistance
Gender Roles
Love and War
Summary
Analysis
The Gestapo continue to torture Isabelle because she will not give them the answers they are looking for. She repeatedly claims that she does not have any information relating to the Nightingale. For a moment, the torture stops, and then the Germans bring in Julien Rossignol, who is in chains. Julien tells the Germans that he is the Nightingale; evidently, he has turned himself in in exchange for Isabelle’s life.
No matter what, Isabelle does not give in. Of course, she has added incentive because telling the Germans that she is the Nightingale might only worsen their torture. However, in the ultimate act of redemption, Julien takes on his daughter's moniker and sacrifices himself so the Germans might spare her.
Themes
Not wanting Julien to die for her sake, Isabelle tells the Germans that he is lying and that she is the real Nightingale. However, because she is a woman, the Germans do not believe her. Isabelle begs Julien not to go through with his plan, but he tells her that it is already done. In this moment, Isabelle sees the man she knew before he went off to war. Although he is a broken man now, he still loves his daughters with all of his heart, and this is his way of proving it. In a moment that is both painful and tragic, the Germans take Julien outside and then execute him; Isabelle bears witness to it all.
Not wanting to lose her father, Isabelle tells the Germans the truth. However, they have no reason to believe her. All along, the Germans have assumed that the Nightingale was a man, and they have no reason to change that opinion now. This moment epitomizes the cruel nature of Isabelle's position in the war. She is the perfect person to act as an undercover agent. However, she is too perfect; even when she wants to tell the truth she cannot, and this costs Julien his life.
Themes
The night after Vianne is raped, she travels to where the Germans have imprisoned Isabelle and tries to save her. She hopes that she may be able to help Julien as well, but the first thing she sees when she arrives is Julien’s dead body. Isabelle gets her papers back and is allowed to see Vianne for a moment. Isabelle wants to tell Vianne all the thoughts she’s had over the past few years but knows that she doesn’t have time. Instead, she simply asks Vianne to leave and save herself.
Vianne hopes she can save Isabelle, but Isabelle is not so lucky. If anything, Vianne's trip only further traumatizes her because she catches sight of Julien's dead body. At this point, Isabelle is on her own. She does not know what the Germans will do with her, but she knows it will not be pleasant.
Themes
After her brief reunion with Vianne, Isabelle is forced to board a train headed for a concentration camp. On the train, she finds Madame Babineau and is glad to be reunited, despite the circumstances. No longer feeling the need to hide, Isabelle and Madame Babineau tell each other their real names. Madame Babineau tells Isabelle that she knew Isabelle was Julien’s daughter all along; she just didn’t say anything.
Unfortunately, contemporary readers know exactly what is in store for Isabelle; she will go to a Nazi concentration camp where the Nazis will torture and dehumanize her, and perhaps even kill her. The only positive aspect of Isabelle's situation is that she has a friend with her to keep her spirits up.
Themes
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Madame Babineau knew Isabelle’s parents before and after World War I. She explains to Isabelle how thoroughly the war devastated Julien. Having gone through traumatic experiences herself, Isabelle is beginning to understand why her father acted the way he did. Additionally, she finally understands fear, just as Vianne always wanted her to. However, despite everything, she is confident in her actions and would not change a thing. When the train arrives at the concentration camp, Isabelle does her best to keep her morale high and persevere.
Despite everything, Isabelle cannot help but be proud of her accomplishments. Even though she had to make great sacrifices, she saved dozens of people's lives and fought against a genuine force of evil. As Isabelle approaches the concentration camp, she does not plan on giving up. Instead, she plans on fighting to the bitter end.
Themes
