How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Scene.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.
Quote #1
STEWARD: "She puts courage into us. She really doesn't seem to be afraid of anything." (1.41)
From the very beginning Joan brings out the best in people. Even the weakly Steward feels his courage stirred.
Quote #2
POULENGEY: "There is something about her." (1.85)
Throughout the play, Joan's pluck and certainty make people want to follow her.
Quote #3
DUNOIS: "You dared me to follow. Dare you lead?" (3.74)
Joan is able to inspire even veteran soldiers with her tenacity.
Quote #4
JOAN: [bitterly] "I know well that none of you will be sorry to see me go." (5.39)
Was any of the admiration for Joan real? Or was she just a useful political tool?
Quote #5
JOAN: "La Hire: in spite of all your sins and swears we shall meet in heaven; for I love you as I love Pitou, my old sheep dog." (5.41)
It would seem that Joan and La Hire have gained real admiration for each other. We wonder if it's because they share the same love of war.
Quote #6
JOAN: "I will go out now to the common people, and let the love in their eyes comfort me for the hate in yours." (5.112)
Was it Joan's popularity with the common folk that eventually pressured the Church into making her a saint?
Quote #7
DUNOIS: "If she fell into the Loire I would jump in in full armor to fish her out. But if she plays the fool at Compiègne, and gets caught, I must leave her to her doom." (5.114)
Dunois's attitude seems to be representative of most of her supposed friends. They do all admire her on some level, but at a certain point she's on her own.
Quote #8
CAUCHON: "You [Warwick] play for your side, my lord, even at the peril of your soul. I cannot but admire such devotion." (6.38)
Does the Bishop actually admire Warwick, or is this just a veiled threat of excommunication?
Quote #9
LADVENU: "When the fire crept round us, and she saw that if I held the cross before her I should be burnt myself, she warned me to get down and save myself." (E.291)
This moment of selflessness on Joan's part changes Ladvenu's opinion of her and fuels his lifelong quest to clear her name.
Quote #10
CHARLES: "If you could bring her back to life, they would burn her again within six months, for all their present adoration of her." (E.24)
Shaw wrote in his preface that this is the main reason he created the epilogue. He wanted to highlight his idea that the world may never be ready for saints.