The Nightingale: Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Isabelle realizes that many of the public sentiments she’s heard about the war are untrue. The Maginot Line did not hold, and now the Germans are moving deeper into France. Before the Germans arrive in Paris, Julien Rossignol decides to send Isabelle away to live with Vianne. He has her pack her things and leave with the Humberts, a family he is friends with. Isabelle doesn’t want to leave Paris but ultimately does what she is told.

Isabelle and the Humberts try to drive out of the city, but their progress is slow going because there are so many people in the streets. Even when they do get to the countryside, the roads are flooded with people, all of whom are fleeing Paris. Eventually, the Humberts’ car runs out of gas, and the group is left to travel the rest of the way on foot. However, Isabelle quickly loses the Humberts in the crowd. Alone and hungry, Isabelle wanders into some nearby woods because she smells smoke and meat. Eventually, she finds a young man named Gaëtan sitting by a fire. She approaches Gaëtan cautiously, and he offers her a seat.

Isabelle asks Gaëtan why he isn’t a part of the war effort. Gaëtan explains that he was a prisoner until very recently. Apparently, the Parisian prison guards released all of their inmates before the Germans could take over, allowing Gaëtan his freedom. Now, Gaëtan is on his way to see his family before joining the war. Isabelle is envious that Gaëtan can become a soldier and she cannot. She expresses this sentiment to him, and he tells her that she is welcome to join him if she would like. This surprises Isabelle, who is used to being told she cannot be a soldier because she is a beautiful girl who should be kept away from violence. Isabelle tells Gaëtan that she will join him, but she needs to see Vianne first.