"I am pursuing a man to his death, a man who has been many times kind to me, who is the father of my smallest child. I am destroying the happiness of my family. And why? For the sake of the truth." (p81). The classic sixteenth century love story of "The Wife of Martin Guerre" written by Janet Lewis is a story of a peasant women of Artigues with a passionate determination for the truth, however this honesty is what brings about Bertrande's demise. And Bertrande as only herself to blame. But, although it was Bertrande's fault it was the external factors of her lifetime and upbringing such as her religion, the patriarchal society in which she lived and her position as a woman in society that influenced and moulded her as an individual ultimately driving her to her demise.
             The Catholic Church's teachings were the basis of life in the small French town of Artigues. It was an important part of the correct family life. It was, what controlled and moulded many individuals' beliefs and lifestyles. For Bertrande, religion set her rules. Rules about how to act as a morally correct person. "Father, I have believed my husband, who is now master of my house, not to be Martin Guerre whom I married. Believing this I have continued to live with him. I have sinned greatly. ... What shall I do to be forgiven?" (p49). Religion firstly made her realise her sins and secondly drove her to demise them "She felt like one who had been condemned to solitude, whether of exile or prison." (p50) her internal emotional feelings about her sins determined her to begin her pursuit of the truth and justice. Therefore it was Bertrande's submissiveness to her religious conscience that provided her with the determination to uncover the truth about 'Martin'. However in this pursuit of her own, it lead Bertrande to her internal demise. Yet along with her religious awareness it was the patriarc...