Arrogance is a theme in this book. Arnaud du Tilh is a man who has an astonishing belief in his acting ability and social skills to manipulate people. First he is able to manipulate strangers to tell him the intimate details of the life of Martin Guerre, while still able to say he is Martin Guerre. He is successful in becoming the husband, lover and father of children of Martin's wife Bertrande. Yet, somehow this is not enough for Arnaud. He is greedy and wants to add to his successes. Arnaud tries to become a business success and in doing this he is violating the customs and power of his new "uncle" Pierre. The impostor wants to seize and sell land and possessions that he does not own.