Essay Questions

How does Janet Lewis present identity in the novel The Wife of Martin Guerre?

Identity, or the lack of it and confusion surrounding it, is an issue that is prevalent throughout The Wife of Martin Guerre, especially in the portrayal of Martin or the man that claims to be Martin. It brings into question the mixed identities that we present to the world and the difficulties faced when trying to uncover the truth, as we will always hide behind the identity that we see fit for a certain circumstance, just like Bertrande does with Martin.

Why did Janet Lewis decide to write the novel from Bertrande's perspective?

Bertrande is the wife of Martin, so by telling the story from her point of view, we as readers, are limited in our own views about the novel. This means that the information we receive is biased and tinted, as we only see the world through Bertrande's eyes. This is particularly important when she initially accepts her new 'husband' despite not recognizing him at all, as we know no difference.