David and Goliath

by

Malcolm Gladwell

Marshal Philippe Pétain Character Analysis

Marshal Philippe Pétain was a French war hero during World War I. When the Nazis overtook France during World War II, they appointed Pétain as the leader of a small fascist government, and he took kindly to their anti-Semitic ways, perpetuating their persecution of Jewish people and forcing everyone in the country to adopt a nationalist, fascist way of life.
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Marshal Philippe Pétain Character Timeline in David and Goliath

The timeline below shows where the character Marshal Philippe Pétain appears in David and Goliath. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 9: André Trocmé
Convention and the Status Quo Theme Icon
Hardship and Resilience Theme Icon
Conviction, Morality, and Empathy Theme Icon
...country to establish a government run by a former World War I hero, Marshal Philippe Pétain, who acted as a dictator. Pétain pursued the same anti-Semitic agenda as the Nazis and... (full context)
Conviction, Morality, and Empathy Theme Icon
As World War II rages on, Pétain demands more and more from the people of France. For instance, he wants all teachers... (full context)
Hardship and Resilience Theme Icon
Conviction, Morality, and Empathy Theme Icon
In 1942, the youth affairs minister of Pétain’s government visits Le Chambon because Pétain wants to establish youth camps around the country. Instead... (full context)