1. Book 2 Chapter 23 Rachel Horvath
Fire Rises
Book 2 Chapter 23
Rachel Horvath

2. Title Significance
The title Fire Rises is referring to literal and figurative meaning in this chapter. It refers to the revolution growing with more revolts and outbreaks happening. It also refers to the chateau being set on fire. (The place where the Marquis lived and was murdered.) The villagers then all placed burning candles in the windows of their houses to represent their support in the revolution.

3. Summary The mender of the roads is working and meets weary traveler.
They start to speak to each other and refer to one another as “Jacques”
The man states he has a job to do but must sleep first
The mender of the roads gives the man directions to the once living Marquis house
Later that night the house is set on fire

4. Summary (cont)
A rider from the chateau finds a group of officers and expresses his concern that the fire must be put out as there are valuable things that could be saved
No one does anything to put the fire out
The villagers go back into their houses and place candles “in every dull little pane of glass.” (241)
Gabelle the tax collector is almost killed when pheasants raid his house, but he escapes and hides in the top of his house

5. Literary Devices
Imagery “The bronze face, the shaggy black hair and beard, the coarse woolen red cap, the rough medley dress of homespun stuff and the sullen and desperate compression of lips in sleep, inspired the mender of the roads with awe.” (238)
The mender of the roads is watching the unidentified revolutionary traveler while he is sleeping.
Simile “Such a man came upon him, like a ghost, at noon in the July weather, as he sat on his heap of stones under a bank, taking such shelter as he could get from a shower of hail.” (237)
The man appeared to the mender of the roads out of no one and he is comparing him to a ghost coming as if just showing up and potentially scaring him.

6. Literary Devices (cont)
Personification “Up the two flights of steps the rain ran wildly, and beat at the great door, like a swift messenger rousing those within…” (240)
The rain is being described and running and beating at the door. The rain is falling very heavily.

7. Essential Quote
“The officers looked towards the soldiers who looked at the fire; gave no orders; and answered, with shrugs and biting of lips, ‘It must burn’”. (241)