Guilt and foregiveness

• Quote 1

  • “My name is Francis Joseph Cassavant and I have just returned to Frenchtown in Monument and the war is over and I have no face.”
  • This opening line immediately introduces guilt and trauma. Francis feels he is no longer whole — physically and emotionally — because of what happened during the war and before it
• Quote 2

  • “I had always wanted to be a hero, like Captain Marvel in the comics.”
  • Francis’s guilt is rooted in disillusionment; he wanted to be noble but ended up involved in destruction and violence. His distorted view of heroism adds to his inner torment.
• Quote 3

  • “He was our hero, even before he went to war.”
  • Larry LaSalle’s fall from grace makes his betrayal even more painful for Francis. Francis feels guilty for admiring him, despite what Larry did to Nicole.
• Quote 4

  • “I should have done something... I could have called for help, lifted the phone... but I did nothing.”
  • Francis is deeply haunted by guilt for not protecting Nicole when Larry assaulted her. This moment is a turning point in his self-perception.