Doves
As the novella progresses, imagery, pertaining that of doves, which are slaughtered by the housekeeper signify the suffering of women in the deeply patriarchal society of 16th century France. Lewis, draws upon the archetypical qualities of doves as creatures that are innocent and pure thus implying that the doves are victims of the feudal societal construct. This notion is reinforced by Bertrande who draws comparisons between her circumstances and that of the dove: “The dove made no cry. Bertrande watched with pity and comprehension, feeling the blood drop by drop leave the weakening body, feeling her own strength drop slowly away like the blood of the dove”.
Predation
Imagery relating to the notion of predation is used a number of times throughout the novella. Lewis alludes to Bertrande as being “like that of a pursued creature” and an “imprisoned animal”. Such imagery in conjunction with Arnaud’s pursuit of persuading the mesnie that he is Martin Guerre, implies that he is the ‘predator’ and that Bertrande’s position within the household as well as her vulnerability, by extension, renders her as the ‘prey’.
Motherhood
Imagery in relation to motherhood and Bertrande’s “body” is incorporated throughout the novella, to reflect the literal and figurative growth of Bertrande. This is reinforced by Lewis who states that she felt a “deep and joyous passion” as “her body grew” whilst she was pregnant with the first child. However, at the latter stages of the novella, as Bertrande succumbs to guilt, being with child again is depicted as a burden: “The realisation that she was again with child added to her woe…the weight, such as she had carried before in her body joyously, now seemed the burden of her sin made actual and dragged her down at every step”, once again suggesting that she is a victim.
Blood
Following the slaughtering of the doves, the imagery of blood that Lewis refers to, ultimately foreshadows the future of the mesnie. Bertrande’s willingness to challenge the cap d’hostal (Arnaud) in trial is depicted as an action that is bound to have negative, far reaching implications on all that are within the household, hence, the imagery of the blood of the doves alludes to demise that is to come following the trial.
