Between Two Fires

Delphine is a young girl who is simultaneously divine and human; that she does not initially fully understand or accept her divine nature makes her a round and dynamic character. Delphine is 14 years old and has long blond hair. When the Black Death began, Delphine began to have visions of angels speaking to her, and she knew that people would believe her to be either a saint or a witch. However, Delphine herself knows that her messages are from God and completely trusts her visions, even when she thinks following their dictates may put her in danger. As the narrative goes on, Delphine realizes that she is Jesus reincarnate and that it is her destiny to sacrifice herself to free the world from the power of evil.

Delphine’s internal conflict comes from her deep love of her friends. She knows that her journey will result in the deaths of Matthieu and Thomas, and she hates that she will be the cause of their destruction. This demonstrates Delphine’s selflessness, but her bond with Matthieu and Thomas is also a reminder of Delphine’s human nature, which often conflicts with her divine nature; as a child, she wants a parent or loved one to care for her. When Delphine meets Annette and Jehan, she entertains the idea of staying with them because she misses her mother and father. However, the horror of Annette and Jehan’s deaths forces Delphine to realize what is at stake if she does not defeat the devil-pope.

Delphine believes deeply in redemption and acceptance. Even though Thomas does not give her many reasons to trust him at first, she sees his inner goodness and the possibility of his salvation. Delphine also accepts Matthieu despite the anti-gay bigotry of society at large. Delphine’s openness reveals the true, loving nature of God, which stands in contrast to the false God that medieval society has built its faith around. The latter resembles the violence and aggression of humanity itself (in keeping with the theme of The Everyday Nature of Good and Evil), which is why Delphine’s quest is so important. Her influence is evident not only in her dramatic act of self-sacrifice but also in her effect on Matthieu and Thomas, both of whom embrace inner peace and love for others as a result of their journey with Delphine.

Matthieu Hanicotte is a priest who travels with Delphine and Thomas. Matthieu’s complex and evolving interiority makes him a round and dynamic character. Matthieu is gay but keeps his identity hidden for fear of his own personal safety. To cope with the guilt—particularly his sense that he failed his congregation when he had an affair with Michel—he has developed an alcohol addiction. Despite his sense of unworthiness, however, Matthieu is a kind man who loves Delphine and wants to protect her. His goodness is evident in his ability to see that Delphine is a messenger of God, which draws him to her. Matthieu’s connection with Delphine and Thomas causes him to share his secrets with them, leading to his spiritual freedom. Once Matthieu knows that Delphine will accept him no matter what, he feels closer to God.

Matthieu’s character arc culminates in him sacrificing himself for Delphine by holding her over his head to protect her from a demon’s venomous tentacles. Thomas notices that the way Matthieu holds Delphine over his head resembles the way priests pray over the Eucharist before giving it to their congregation. This moment mirrors but also subverts an earlier scene in which Matthieu reluctantly desecrates the Eucharist at a doomed court; when it really matters, he protects and honors Delphine, redeeming himself in the process. Matthieu’s death also marks a turning point for Delphine and Thomas’s character development. Delphine tries to raise Matthieu from the dead because of her love for him, but the angels tell her that she is not strong enough to accomplish this yet.

Matthieu appears a final time in Robert’s dying vision. Although the state of Robert’s soul is not clear at the end, Matthieu’s voice gives hope that even in death, Matthieu was able to save his brother.