Bertrande and the Truth

In “The Wife of Martin Guerre,” by Janet Lewis, Bertrande de Rols struggles with the nature of truth. Through Bertrande, Lewis shows how easy it is to deceive oneself. At first Bertrande accepts “the new Martin Guerre” (p45), although with some doubt, but as time passes that doubt increases. In the end, “she marvelled that she could have permitted herself to be deceived.” (p63) Betrande realises that, although it is easy to deceive oneself, this cannot last. It is inevitable that in the end the truth must be faced, and owned up to. Although unwilling to come to terms with the truth, Bertrande realises that she has no other option. “If the choice had lay within her power, she would undoubtedly have chosen to be mad.” (p47)

However, when she finally declares the truth, no-one is willing to believe her, accusing her of madness. But she realises that she is “imposed upon, deceived, betrayed into adultery, but not mad.” (p47) The priest will not allow her to confess her sins because he does not agree with her. As a result she has no way of reconciling herself with God. Those in the Guerre community want her to ignore the truth, saying “It is only the truth for you, not for us… For the truth, that none of us believe, you would destroy us all.” (p73) Perhaps the truth would destroy the community,  but not accepting the truth would destroy Bertrande.  “The truth is only the truth. I cannot change it,” (p75) Bertrande says. Lewis’ opinion on the value of truth seems to be that truth is the important, unquestionable value that must be kept.