Summary

In Chapter 6, Eugénie wakes up on March 5, 1885, momentarily forgetting where she is. A nurse leads her to the auditorium. She is surprised not to see Geneviève. She was unsure if she should tell Geneviève about Blandine’s ghost. The spirit’s appearance was “not expected,” but Blandine urged her to communicate with Geneviève, assuring her she would help Eugénie “get out of here” (81).

Walking through the corridor, Engénie observes her surroundings. All of the Salpêtrière’s women are those French society does “not know how to cope with” (83). Like the other women, Eugénie is the victim of decisions made without her consent (83). Despite their supposed insanity, in the dormitory, Eugénie sees “no obvious signs of [the women’s] madness” (82).

Sitting alone in the dormitory, Eugénie feels more alone than ever. Then Louise...