The Price of Hope

Justine

This flow traces the brief renewals of hope that Justine experiences and the reversals that repeatedly turn them into new danger.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Possible Household A Possible Household from "Justine". A Possible Household A protected position The Marquise takes Justine into her service and promises to clear her name.

A Possible Household from "Justine". A Possible Household A protected position The Marquise takes Justine into her service and promises to clear her name.

A Possible Household A protected position The Marquise takes Justine into her service and promises to clear her name. For the first time in a long while, Justine imagines that her troubles may be ending. Hope made vulnerable The stability depends on the goodwill of one household and the Comte’s restraint. Justine has no independent security if the family’s interests turn against her.

A Promise of Rescue A Promise of Rescue from "Justine". A Promise of Rescue Work anticipated Saint-Florent promises to place Justine in a respectable household near Bondy.

A Promise of Rescue from "Justine". A Promise of Rescue Work anticipated Saint-Florent promises to place Justine in a respectable household near Bondy.

A Promise of Rescue Work anticipated Saint-Florent promises to place Justine in a respectable household near Bondy. She accepts the prospect because it appears to answer her need for safety and employment. Hope exploited The promise leads her into the forest, where Saint-Florent attacks and robs her. The reversal teaches that a plausible offer of protection can be used to draw her into isolation.

A Convalescent’s Future A Convalescent’s Future from "Justine". A Convalescent’s Future Shelter imagined Rodin treats Justine’s wounds and offers a position in his household.

A Convalescent’s Future from "Justine". A Convalescent’s Future Shelter imagined Rodin treats Justine’s wounds and offers a position in his household.

A Convalescent’s Future Shelter imagined Rodin treats Justine’s wounds and offers a position in his household. She hopes that a regular place and wages may end her exposure to the road. Another hidden danger The household’s apparent care conceals the abuse of pupils and a plot against Rosalie. Justine’s expectation of safety gives way to a choice between remaining quiet and intervening.

The Road to Dauphiné The Road to Dauphiné from "Justine". The Road to Dauphiné Hope revived Justine reaches Lyon and believes that Grenoble may offer a better future.

The Road to Dauphiné from "Justine". The Road to Dauphiné Hope revived Justine reaches Lyon and believes that Grenoble may offer a better future.

The Road to Dauphiné Hope revived Justine reaches Lyon and believes that Grenoble may offer a better future. She continues to travel, work, and seek a place despite years of disappointment. The cycle returns The criminal network of Saint-Florent and Dubois draws her into another trap. Her hope is not ignorance so much as a refusal to accept that every future must repeat the past.

Comfort Interrupted Comfort Interrupted from "Justine". Comfort Interrupted A brief restoration Justine is reunited with Juliette, released, treated, and given an allowance.

Comfort Interrupted from "Justine". Comfort Interrupted A brief restoration Justine is reunited with Juliette, released, treated, and given an allowance.

Comfort Interrupted A brief restoration Justine is reunited with Juliette, released, treated, and given an allowance. The plot appears to offer a settled home and a public correction of the false charges. One last reversal Lightning kills her before that future can take shape. The ending confirms how fragile Justine’s hope has been while leaving Juliette to decide what meaning, if any, the loss carries.

After the false theft conviction is dropped from the Bressac case

After Saint-Florent’s offer in Luzarches

After Justine reaches Rodin’s home

After Justine escapes Château de Gernande

At the end of the novel