La Symphonie Pastorale

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At the end of the 19th century, in the Swiss Jura, a married pastor takes in an orphan whose only family has just died. From the moment she enters his home, she brings disappointment and sadness to his wife. Under the pastor's care and constant attention, the wild and mute girl transforms into a virtuous young woman, raised in the Protestant faith. The pastor falls in love with her, drawing criticism from his wife. Later, their son Jacques also falls in love with the girl. When Gertrude regains her sight after an operation, she realizes that it is not the old, wrinkled pastor she loves, but his young and handsome son Jacques. Tormented by this revelation, she attempts to drown herself and dies a few days later. This short novel, written by André Gide between February and November 1918 and published in 1919, explores the conflict between religious morality and human emotions.