The Maid Of Lorraine Essay Research Paper

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The Maid Of Lorraine Essay, Research Paper The Maid of Lorraine Courage, strength, spirit, and determination are just a few of the ways to describe one of the greatest heroes to ever live. Joan of Arc worked to reunite France at an age when most people would be at the end of their high school careers. She led an army to battle at an age when most people, today, are hanging out with friends and looking forward to college. Joan, however, was planning battles and strategizing attacks. She put her life on the line for her country simply because St. Catherine asked her to. The story of Joan of Arc is true yet a myth because she was referred to as the Maid of Lorraine, who was always thought to be a myth. Joan made this myth a reality. Joan of Arc is the story of a girl who united

her people in an effort to reunite France and through her many triumphs and tragedies she is still looked up to today. As Linda Seger points out, The hero is introduced in ordinary surroundings, in a mundane world, doing mundane things (309). This was precisely how Joan was introduced in the movie, Joan of Arc. Joan was first introduced to the audience while she was at church with her family. She was ten years old at the time and during the introduction, Joan received a sign from St. Catherine and was mystified by it. As a result, she ran out of the church and then returned after the service was over to ask for another sign and why she received the sign. During the next seven years Joan received many signs from St. Catherine. The next scene showed Joan when she was seventeen

years old and had made her decision to go speak to the King of France. This is the turning point that Seger refers to in her essay, Creating the Myth. This is the catalyst that sets the story in motion (Seger 310). This was also when the myth of the Maid of Lorraine was created. On Joan s journey to the King s palace, the group she was traveling with stopped at Sir Robert s castle. Joan was not aware of the stop and thought she was at the King s palace already. After she stated her case to Sir Robert, he sent a note to the King asking for permission for Joan to speak to the King. Sir Robert gave Joan the title of the Maid of Lorraine on that note so as not to give away her identity. This began the myth of the Maid of Lorraine. Throughout Joan s journey, she received help from

several sources. After she spoke to King Charles, he taught her how to fight and lead an army and throughout her journey, she continued to receive signs from St. Catherine as guidance. Her army, however, had a Colonel to guide the army so Joan only had to appear to be leading the army. However, this was not the case because Joan s instincts and determination led her to make many decisions about how to defeat the enemies. Joan also received help from her friends in the army when she is injured in the Battle of Orleans. After she is shot with an arrow in the shoulder, she received another sign from St. Catherine. This time it is St. Catherine herself as an angel, not just a light and a voice, encouraging Joan to continue in her efforts to reunite France. After the battle, Joan s

strength and courage was tested at a dinner given by King Charles for Joan after her army won the Battle of Orleans. Joan was taunted by King Charles when he told her he was signing a treaty with Burgundy, the last part of France not reunited. As it turned out, her defense was unnecessary because he was merely goading her and was going to allow her and her army go to battle for Paris, France s capital that was held under Burgundy s control. Her strength was further tested when her brother was killed during the battle for Paris. Joan s injury in the Battle of Orleans proved her strength and courage because she could have easily pulled her army back from fighting but didn t. Joan hit rock bottom when her brother was killed in the battle for Paris. She felt responsible for the death