The Billet of Captain Beck

The Nightingale

Explores the complex relationship between Vianne and the German officer billeted in her home, from politeness to murder.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Beck Arrives Beck Arrives from "The Nightingale". The Requisition The Knock A German soldier enters Vianne's home. He is Captain Wolfgang Beck, polite and handsome. He has orders to billet there.

Beck Arrives from "The Nightingale". The Requisition The Knock A German soldier enters Vianne's home. He is Captain Wolfgang Beck, polite and handsome. He has orders to billet there.

The Requisition The Knock A German soldier enters Vianne's home. He is Captain Wolfgang Beck, polite and handsome. He has orders to billet there. Isabelle's Fury Isabelle chops off her hair in defiance. Beck laughs. Vianne is caught between her sister's anger and the need to survive. An Uneasy Welcome Vianne shows Beck to his room. He speaks of his wife and children. She sees a man, not a monster. This makes everything harder.

Small Kindnesses Small Kindnesses from "The Nightingale". A Human Enemy Chopping Wood Beck chops wood for Vianne. He brings fish for supper. He talks about his family. Vianne begins to see him as a person.

Small Kindnesses from "The Nightingale". A Human Enemy Chopping Wood Beck chops wood for Vianne. He brings fish for supper. He talks about his family. Vianne begins to see him as a person.

A Human Enemy Chopping Wood Beck chops wood for Vianne. He brings fish for supper. He talks about his family. Vianne begins to see him as a person. The List Beck asks for a list of Jewish teachers. Vianne complies, believing it is clerical. This act will haunt her. Antoine's Letter Beck helps Vianne contact Antoine in the POW camp. He brings her a letter. She is grateful, but the debt grows.

The Warning The Warning from "The Nightingale". A Dangerous Favor The Visit Beck comes to Rachel's house and warns Vianne that Rachel should hide. He risks his career to help.

The Warning from "The Nightingale". A Dangerous Favor The Visit Beck comes to Rachel's house and warns Vianne that Rachel should hide. He risks his career to help.

A Dangerous Favor The Visit Beck comes to Rachel's house and warns Vianne that Rachel should hide. He risks his career to help. The Roundup Despite the warning, Rachel is deported. Beck is present at the train station with a whip. Vianne sees him differently now. The Moral Divide Vianne realizes that Beck is both a decent man and a cog in the Nazi machine. She cannot reconcile the two.

The Killing The Killing from "The Nightingale". The Barn The Search Beck searches the barn for a downed airman. He finds the trapdoor. Vianne knows he will discover Isabelle.

The Killing from "The Nightingale". The Barn The Search Beck searches the barn for a downed airman. He finds the trapdoor. Vianne knows he will discover Isabelle.

The Barn The Search Beck searches the barn for a downed airman. He finds the trapdoor. Vianne knows he will discover Isabelle. The Blow Vianne hits Beck with a shovel. Isabelle shoots him. He dies in the barn. Aftermath Vianne is devastated. She has killed a man she knew. The act changes her forever. She must live with the guilt.

June 1940

1940 – 1941

July 1942

October 1942