Essay Questions

Why did Bernard defend his wife in court despite the evidence that she tried to poison him?

The story commences in court where Thérèse is judged for poisoning her husband. Ironically, her husband defends her in court and argues that his wife never attempted to poison him. Benard, Thérèse's husband, has a hidden agenda because he believes that Thérèse's punishment is his responsibility. Later, the case is withdrawn, and Bernard leaves with his wife. Later, Bernard takes his wife to the lonely house located in the forest to enslave her. Thérèse is subjected to hard life where she has no social contact with any other person except the servants. Therefore, Bernard's sole intention to defend his wife in court is to get an opportunity to subject her to maximum suffering.

Can the reader conclude that the relationship between Bernard and women is pathetic?

At first, the reader thinks that Bernard is a loving man because he defends his wife in court. According to the readers' first impression, the love between Bernard and his wife is powerful. However, the revelations that follow prove that Bernard is a pathetic and revengeful character whose main aim is to subject his wife to misery. It is astonishing that he only feeds his wife with wine and cigarettes, which leaves her malnourished. When Anna realizes that Bernard is leaving his wife to die, she disconnects her biological relationship with him because she thinks he does not care about women.

What is the satire of Bernard’s court defense?

Thérèse is at least happy that her husband is defending her because he has forgiven her. Ironically, Bernard has ill intentions, and he plans to subject her to the worst prison. From the court, Thérèse is taken to isolation in the middle of the forest, where she suffers more than she could in state prison. The readers find it satirical that Thérèse suffers more while outside than she could have endured in prison.