The Eloquence of Blood

1. How does Charles struggle with his role as a man of the cloth versus that of being a man of worldly desires? How did he come into this position and how does his vocation both cause him to struggle (to give in to temptation) and provide him with direction?

2. Were you initially suspicious of the church in having a hand in the deaths of both Martine and the notary? Why? Who else had sufficient motivation to kill, especially as the patrimoine was surrounded by confusion?

3. Discuss the class structure (and the boundaries) of seventeenth-century Parisian society. How does social standing and parentage affect one’s destiny? What might the future hold for an orphan, or young woman without a solid financial future?

4. Do you think the Jesuits did the right thing as tension against them began to mount—even as their silence began to put the students in jeopardy? How do you think they could have diffused the climate of violence?

5. What motivates Charles’s commitment to the investigations? Why does he insist on clearing Gilles of the crime, even though it would not lift the veil of suspicion off the Jesuits?

6. Why does Gilles refuse to reveal the name of his companion? What might be the repercussions? What would be the sacrifices? Why do you think Charles agrees to keep his investigation as discreet as possible?

7. How does the song allow the townspeople of Paris to deal with their outrage over the deaths of Martine and Brion? Is this a form of free speech or would you consider it intimidation or harassment? Do you think those who distributed the lyrics should have been punished?

8. Why did the beggars come to Charles’s rescue against the attacking street mob, risking their safety to save him? How does Charles repay this kindness—and how is his behavior toward the poor different from the prevailing attitudes of the time?

9. Who is Reine and what was her life like before begging? What is her role in the streets—to both the Jesuits and the police? How does she work with all sides to create dialogue, to help keep a semblance of peace?

10. Were you shocked to learn the killer’s true identity and motivations?

11. Where you surprised to learn who stole Anne and Martine’s donation paper? Who was he ultimately trying to protect?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS