The Passion is a contradictory love story by Jeanette Winterson, set in the Napoleonic era. The leading characters, Henri, Villanelle, and The Queen of Spades are caught in a love triangle that leaves them hurt and discontent. Unlike other books, The Passion does not conform to one genre. Using her wit, Winterson tells her story in a rather poetic stance that is established by consistently reciting phrases and complete sentences. Also, despite being set in a historical era, the book disregards the traditional notions of historical context. Winterson employs postmodernist techniques to bring her characters into life and relate their experiences.
The novel is divided into four sections each serving the author’s multileveled tale. Like poetry, each section has its definite title and article. The Emperor, The Queen of Spades, The Zero Winter, and The Rock all employ repetition as the primary rhetorical tool.
The Emperor
The emperor refers to Napoleon. However, this section follows the life of the protagonist, Henri. After his dreams of working as a drummer for the army are derailed, Henri is stationed as a cook for Napoleon. Initially, Henri takes pride in preparing the emperor’s meals and satisfying his taste for chicken soup. However, as the years pass by, Henri’s admiration soon turns to love and finally to disgust. As the army moves from war to war, Henri witnesses hundreds of soldiers dying. Some die of illnesses caused and the rest are killed on the battlefield. Henri begins doubting his master’s decisions and compassion which leads to his desertion.
The Queen of Spades
This section describes the life of Villanelle, the daughter of a boatman. Villanelle has gone through different ordeals all in the name of love. Unlike Henri, Villanelle is present and aware of every breath she takes. Villanelle takes the time to experience every moment, which evidently leads to heartbreaks. She starts off working at a gambling casino. There she meets The Queen of Spades, a married woman with whom she enjoys a passionate affair. The two women are drawn to each other and secrecy only intensifies their passion. However, The Queen of spades refuses to abandon her husband and claims to love him deeply. Villanelle is heartbroken, but her love for The Queen of Spades remains resolute. Villanelle’s husband is a wealthy but repulsive man who ultimately disposes of her in a brothel.
The Zero Winter
As Napoleon’s war gets worse, so do the living conditions. For days Henri and other soldiers go hungry. Their uniforms become weary and have to sleep in piles due to the freezing cold. Henry refers to this period as the “Zero Winter.” During their time in Moscow, Henri meets Villanelle and is smitten by her beauty. Henri, Villanelle, and Patrick escape to Venice but Patrick dies on the way. Henri falls deeply in love with Villanelle. Villanelle refuses to marry Henri claiming her heart belongs to another.
The Rock
In this section, Henri is sentenced to life imprisonment for killing Villanelle’s husband. The wealthy crook had come searching for Villanelle after he learned of her escape. In a violent rage, Henri stabbed him and carved out his heart. Henri later confessed to his crimes. Villanelle inherits her husband’s wealth and vows to bribe the judge to release Henri. She makes regular visits to Henri’s cell and soon gets pregnant. Henri asks her to marry him again, but she refuses. However, this time she confesses her newfound love for Henri and promises to take care of their child. Winterson concludes her story with a twisted but justified ending that sees the main characters meet their fate.
