Chocolat

Reynaud leaves the shop full of rage, believing that Vianne has attacked the church’s community, festivals, and sacraments. He notes a dandelion that he weeded, already grown back. Muscat meets him and disparages Josephine, blaming her flaws for his abuse. Reynaud censures him, despising his attitude. Reynaud believes that Josephine should return to him due to the sanctity of marriage, not because of Muscat’s pride or to do Muscat’s domestic chores. Muscat blames Vianne, too, and suggests that there might be a fire at the shop. Although the thought has tempted him, Reynaud is horrified that Muscat might see his silence about the Romani people as complicity. He forbids Muscat from harming the shop, as it is not their place to interpret the laws of the land or God. He feels fury that Muscat is trying to control the situation and that he’s forcing him to protect his enemy.

Reynaud feels that he must repress Vianne within three weeks, when her festival will start. People ridicule his stance against chocolate, even the Clairmonts. He censures himself for the thought that, unlike Caro, Vianne is no hypocrite co-opting religion for her social standing. He knows that he should be impartial to serve his community and church.