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Black Robe

 Black Robe
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TVTItem
 Black Robe
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Black Robe
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BlackRobe
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Jesuit missionary Father LaForgue is anxious to evangelize the indigenous peoples of 17th century interior Canada. He sets out from Quebec with the guidance of Chomina, an experienced Algonquin traveler, Chomina's family, several other natives and the non-Jesuit carpenter, Daniel. LaForgue struggles with his deeply-held religious convictions as he encounters a vast, alien landscape, meets various hostile natives and confronts cultural attitudes he fails to understand.Black Robe is a 1985 novel by Brian Moore. Moore also wrote the screenplay for the 1991 film of the same name.This article mainly deals with the film.
 Black Robe
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2024-02-13T09:45:07Z
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2024-02-13T09:45:07Z
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DBTropes
 Black Robe / int_117b3429
type
A Taste of the Lash
 Black Robe / int_117b3429
comment
A Taste of the Lash: After witnessing Daniel and Annuka having sex and lusting over it, LaForgue takes off his robe and starts self-flagellating with a branch of a pine tree, praying for forgiveness for his carnal desires.
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 Black Robe / int_17ce80aa
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All There in the Manual
 Black Robe / int_17ce80aa
comment
All There in the Manual: LaForgue's first name is Paul. It's mentioned nowhere in the film.
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 Black Robe / int_1bc2e445
type
End of an Age
 Black Robe / int_1bc2e445
comment
End of an Age: Chomina acknowledges the dependence on gifts from the French is the beginning of the end of his people, fully knowing the exchange is unequal and there is no real way to stop or appease the white people. The elders in the mission reflect the real concern Hurons had when facing Jesuit missionaries - accepting new faith in the all-or-nothing form presented by "black robes" will be equal to stop being Huron and will destroy their culture and ties within the confederation, leading to pointless fractionalism. This is exactly what happened to Hurons eventually.
 Black Robe / int_1bc2e445
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 Black Robe / int_1c3423d6
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The Quest
 Black Robe / int_1c3423d6
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The Quest: Reaching the Huron mission.
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 Black Robe / int_1e8f4221
type
Fingore
 Black Robe / int_1e8f4221
comment
Fingore: All over the place, since Mohawks routinely cut fingers off their captives. The carpenters in the opening discuss a missionary who ended up with just two fingers left, one to each hand. The priest preparing LaForgue back in France lacks several fingers, along with other mutilations, yet he seems eager to return so that he can save the natives' souls. When captured by Mohawks, LaForgue gets his left index finger cut in half with an oyster shell. The Mohawk chief is quite impressed, since the Jesuit didn't make a sound. And it's all shown in detail.
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 Black Robe / int_23ff95fb
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Brutal Honesty
 Black Robe / int_23ff95fb
comment
Brutal Honesty: Both LaForgue and Chomina are very open with what they think and what are their chances of succeeding with just about anything are. In case of LaForgue it's implied he got it from his mother.
 Black Robe / int_23ff95fb
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 Black Robe / int_2538a3c9
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Big Little Man
 Black Robe / int_2538a3c9
comment
Big Little Man: Father LaForgue is harangued by the shaman Mestigoit, who is filmed close to the camera. It's only when he comes face-to-face with LaForgue (who is sitting down) that we realise how short he is.
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 Black Robe / int_2612a967
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It Has Been an Honor
 Black Robe / int_2612a967
comment
It Has Been an Honor: Eventually Chomina admits LaForgue might not be completely stupid, while the priest honours his will to die unbaptized.
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Black Robe / int_2612a967
 Black Robe / int_272abb98
type
Shoot the Shaggy Dog
 Black Robe / int_272abb98
comment
Shoot the Shaggy Dog: After an arduous journey, LaForgue reaches Huron territory and starts his religious work there, but the final text reveals that the Huron were conquered 15 years later, and the French missionaries fled back to Quebec.
 Black Robe / int_272abb98
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Black Robe / int_272abb98
 Black Robe / int_2eb94abd
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Deadly Euphemism
 Black Robe / int_2eb94abd
comment
Deadly Euphemism: The Iroquois call torturing people "caressing" them.
 Black Robe / int_2eb94abd
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Black Robe / int_2eb94abd
 Black Robe / int_30c40e9a
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Deconstructor Fleet
 Black Robe / int_30c40e9a
comment
Deconstructor Fleet: A very thorough deconstruction of all missionary fiction along with romantic takes on natives and exploration of unknown lands.
 Black Robe / int_30c40e9a
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Black Robe / int_30c40e9a
 Black Robe / int_30d2ae29
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Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
 Black Robe / int_30d2ae29
comment
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: The three Huron elders talk about how their enemies will learn about their weakness if they embrace Christianity and this will lead to the doom of their entire confederacy. Still, they on their own decide to take baptism... and right after that the final card informs us how the Hurons were deliberately wiped out by the Iroquois fifteen years later.
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 Black Robe / int_33029735
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Dies Wide Open
 Black Robe / int_33029735
comment
Dies Wide Open: Father Duval was murdered by one of the Hurons, most likely with a hatchet to his face. He never had a chance to close his eyes. Meanwhile, when one morning LaForgue finds father Gerome dead in his bed, the old man's eyes are still open, suggesting he wasn't asleep when he passed away.
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 Black Robe / int_33d5b7f2
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Adapted Out
 Black Robe / int_33d5b7f2
comment
Adapted Out: The two fur traders, Casson and Valliet, first present in Quebec and later saving the remnants of LaForgue expedition, are respectively replaced by two smug asshole merchants in the opening and not present at all in the final part.
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Black Robe / int_33d5b7f2
 Black Robe / int_3d2c6d30
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Skewed Priorities
 Black Robe / int_3d2c6d30
comment
Skewed Priorities: LaForgue strides right into the middle of a deadly fight and baptises Chomina's dying wife, to complete bewilderment of everyone around him.
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Black Robe / int_3d2c6d30
 Black Robe / int_3ebc57ac
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Going Native
 Black Robe / int_3ebc57ac
comment
Going Native: Daniel is ready and willing to discard his life among the French to live with Annuka and the Algonquin. He quickly starts getting alienated from French Christianity and starts sticking up for Algonquin religious beliefs. Not all of the Algonquin are enthusiastic to receive him, however.
 Black Robe / int_3ebc57ac
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 Black Robe / int_40bb59d0
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Blatant Lies
 Black Robe / int_40bb59d0
comment
Blatant Lies: Daniel claims he wants to accompany LaForgue in his mission "for the greater glory of God", but he's only there for Annuka. The Jesuits still take him along, fully aware that he's lying, because they need all the help they can get.
 Black Robe / int_40bb59d0
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Black Robe / int_40bb59d0
 Black Robe / int_424c9a9b
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Cold-Blooded Torture
 Black Robe / int_424c9a9b
comment
Cold-Blooded Torture: The Iroquois plan to torture Chomina to death and perhaps the French as well, if they don't sell them off instead.
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Black Robe / int_424c9a9b
 Black Robe / int_44fc28e8
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Honor Before Reason
 Black Robe / int_44fc28e8
comment
Honor Before Reason: Chomina decides to go back and help the black robe. He openly admits this is stupid, but it's still his honour at stake and it's better to die than break an oath.
 Black Robe / int_44fc28e8
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Black Robe / int_44fc28e8
 Black Robe / int_452cda57
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Eternally Pearly-White Teeth
 Black Robe / int_452cda57
comment
Eternally Pearly-White Teeth: For the most part averted, which makes Daniel's pearly smile really stand out, particularly among all the other carpenters.
 Black Robe / int_452cda57
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Black Robe / int_452cda57
 Black Robe / int_46dfd21d
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Fake Faith Healer
 Black Robe / int_46dfd21d
comment
Fake Faith Healer: Father Gerome has no qualms whatsoever to claim that baptism and Christianity is going to heal the sick Hurons.
 Black Robe / int_46dfd21d
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Black Robe / int_46dfd21d
 Black Robe / int_479d4e5a
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Would Hurt a Child
 Black Robe / int_479d4e5a
comment
Would Hurt a Child: The Mohawk chief slashes the throat of Chomina's son. Right in front of Chomina, who is stripped naked and forced to continue singing as the boy bleeds to death.
 Black Robe / int_479d4e5a
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 Black Robe / int_4832a3bb
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Always Chaotic Evil
 Black Robe / int_4832a3bb
comment
Always Chaotic Evil: Subverted. Daniel thinks this of the Iroquois. Chomina points out that that's just how life is there.
 Black Robe / int_4832a3bb
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Black Robe / int_4832a3bb
 Black Robe / int_48dfb7e4
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Stock Sound Effects
 Black Robe / int_48dfb7e4
comment
Stock Sound Effects: When LaForgue and Daniel are forced into running the gauntlet by the Iroquois, stock sounds of being hit are used. It fits the scene just as much as you expect.
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Black Robe / int_48dfb7e4
 Black Robe / int_49334c8e
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Coitus Uninterruptus
 Black Robe / int_49334c8e
comment
Coitus Uninterruptus: An Algonquin couple has sex in the middle of a tent, with everyone else present and asleep. LaForgue wakes up for a moment, but he stays put and after a brief moment of staring, also goes back to sleep.
 Black Robe / int_49334c8e
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Black Robe / int_49334c8e
 Black Robe / int_49d59be9
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Scenery Porn
 Black Robe / int_49d59be9
comment
Scenery Porn: The many, many shots of somber, yet enthralling landscapes of Canada.
 Black Robe / int_49d59be9
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Black Robe / int_49d59be9
 Black Robe / int_4e3d253b
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Downer Ending
 Black Robe / int_4e3d253b
comment
Downer Ending: The final card states that in spite of (or because of) their conversion to Christianity, the Huron were conquered by their rivals, the Iroquois, 15 years later, and the French missionaries gave up on them and returned to Quebec.
 Black Robe / int_4e3d253b
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Black Robe / int_4e3d253b
 Black Robe / int_4f6cf75
type
Mirroring Factions
 Black Robe / int_4f6cf75
comment
Mirroring Factions: Moore compares the superstition of the natives with the Catholic beliefs of the missionaries. In the film Daniel suggests this point to LaForgue. Visual juxtaposition to this effect is all over the place, one right in the opening scene.
 Black Robe / int_4f6cf75
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Black Robe / int_4f6cf75
 Black Robe / int_514bc7f8
type
Foreseeing My Death
 Black Robe / int_514bc7f8
comment
Foreseeing My Death: Chomina has a vision of where he's going to die, but he doesn't realise this until he's there and actually dying. He then expresses regret that he never realised the meaning of his recurring dream, as he could have been a fearless warrior if he had known.
 Black Robe / int_514bc7f8
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Black Robe / int_514bc7f8
 Black Robe / int_52d1f46e
type
Not What It Looks Like
 Black Robe / int_52d1f46e
comment
Not What It Looks Like: Played for drama. After splitting their party, Annuka does her very best to protect Daniel the only way she can think of: posing him as a native. She makes him wear buckskin, braids his hair and covers his face with paint - all to conceal his real identity from Hurons. When they eventually reach the mission and LaForgue sees Daniel, he assumes the boy went mad out of lust for Annuka and went fully native.
 Black Robe / int_52d1f46e
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Black Robe / int_52d1f46e
 Black Robe / int_53c9fc92
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Flashback
 Black Robe / int_53c9fc92
comment
Flashback: Since the story opens already in Quebec settlement, this is how LaForgue's time in France and preparation for the missionary job are shown. The more dire his situation becomes, the more personal the flashbacks get.
 Black Robe / int_53c9fc92
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Black Robe / int_53c9fc92
 Black Robe / int_541e7371
type
But I Read a Book About It
 Black Robe / int_541e7371
comment
But I Read a Book About It: LaForgue ends up stranded and alone. After a moment of panic, his first course of action is grabbing a quasi-manual written by one of the prominent missionaries in the region, containing all sorts of survival tips. Following it allows him to get by long enough for the Algonquin party to return.
 Black Robe / int_541e7371
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Black Robe / int_541e7371
 Black Robe / int_56515a39
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Artistic License – History
 Black Robe / int_56515a39
comment
Artistic License – History: Joan of Arc wasn't made a saint until 1920.
 Black Robe / int_56515a39
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Black Robe / int_56515a39
 Black Robe / int_59788b2c
type
Hiding Behind the Language Barrier
 Black Robe / int_59788b2c
comment
Hiding Behind the Language Barrier: Attempted, with rather sour results. Father Paul is suffering from an ear infection and thus can barely hear on the affected ear. The Algonquin assume instead he can barely understand their language. Whenever LaForgue actually hears them, he's perfectly aware of all the things they say about him and their increasing doubts about the whole expedition, but is powerless to do anything about it. And whenever he argues with Daniel and switches to French, it instantly makes the presented Algonquin irritated, because they know something is said behind their backs. Annuka always demands translation or at least explanation.
 Black Robe / int_59788b2c
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Black Robe / int_59788b2c
 Black Robe / int_5b1a2f4e
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Ain't Too Proud to Beg
 Black Robe / int_5b1a2f4e
comment
Ain't Too Proud to Beg: Inverted. Chomina explicitly forbids both LaForgue and Daniel to beg when they are to be tortured by the Mohawks, as per local custom this will only make the ordeal far, far worse.
 Black Robe / int_5b1a2f4e
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Black Robe / int_5b1a2f4e
 Black Robe / int_5c0fc07b
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Nightmare Sequence
 Black Robe / int_5c0fc07b
comment
Nightmare Sequence: In the film, Chomina has a recurring nightmare, in which he's in some unknown island, weak and dying, with a raven picking his eye. All while in the distance, a black robe walks alone. It is implied in dialogues he's been having this nightmare for years.
 Black Robe / int_5c0fc07b
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 Black Robe / int_6455e8e
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Life Will Kill You
 Black Robe / int_6455e8e
comment
Life Will Kill You: It is noted several times by different characters surviving a winter is an achievement all by itself, even is such "civilised" place like Quebec.
 Black Robe / int_6455e8e
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Black Robe / int_6455e8e
 Black Robe / int_6896aae8
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The Missionary
 Black Robe / int_6896aae8
comment
The Missionary: The Jesuits we see are explicitly in French Canada to convert the natives. While believing that the natives are "savages," they all seem to genuinely care about saving their souls and granting them access to heaven.
 Black Robe / int_6896aae8
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Black Robe / int_6896aae8
 Black Robe / int_6ee10e0
type
My Greatest Failure
 Black Robe / int_6ee10e0
comment
My Greatest Failure: When realising he was always dreaming about his own death, Chomina laments to Annuka he could have been a better, braver and wiser chief if he knew in advance what the dream meant. If he'd known the moment of his death, he'd have approached many situations in the past differently.
 Black Robe / int_6ee10e0
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 Black Robe / int_6fb5cb83
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I Gave My Word
 Black Robe / int_6fb5cb83
comment
I Gave My Word: Several of Chomina's companions want to abandon or kill LaForgue and Daniel, but Chomina promised Champlain they'd be protected.
 Black Robe / int_6fb5cb83
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Black Robe / int_6fb5cb83
 Black Robe / int_6fbe85e6
type
Adaptation Personality Change
 Black Robe / int_6fbe85e6
comment
Adaptation Personality Change: Father LaForgue is quite self-righteous and judgmental in the book, which earns him no favours. In film, he's instead viciously cynical and very blunt, which also earns him no favours. Daniel actively embraces Going Native and has no moral qualms of any kind, along with continuously calling out LaForgue on his missionary antics. In the film, he's head over heels in love with Annuka and that's all he cares about. Chomina is quite a hot-head in the book and very opportunistic - on top of being a named extra. His film counterpart is far more pragmatic and the voice of calm reason among the Algonquin.
 Black Robe / int_6fbe85e6
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 Black Robe / int_70ade2c4
type
Culture Clash
 Black Robe / int_70ade2c4
comment
Culture Clash: The primary thrust of the film is western and native cultures looking at each other and not seeing eye to eye. Annuka notes that nothing the French do makes any sense, while LaForgue just can't understand a culture that treats dreams as reality and reality as a dream.
 Black Robe / int_70ade2c4
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Black Robe / int_70ade2c4
 Black Robe / int_76c30df4
type
Will Not Tell a Lie
 Black Robe / int_76c30df4
comment
Will Not Tell a Lie: While his brutal honesty rubs people the wrong way most of the time, LaForgue never, ever tells a lie. Even when it would greatly simplify his life. Most importantly, he informs the Hurons baptism won't cure them, but they might still ask Jesus for help on their own.
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Black Robe / int_76c30df4
 Black Robe / int_7ef728b1
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Tsundere
 Black Robe / int_7ef728b1
comment
Tsundere: Annuka goes in a loop consisting of indifference, malice and passion toward Daniel.
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Black Robe / int_7ef728b1
 Black Robe / int_7fbb2a3
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Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!
 Black Robe / int_7fbb2a3
comment
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: The final text seems to blame the Huron's conversion to Christianity for getting conquered by the Iroquois, so LaForgue would be partially responsible for that.
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Black Robe / int_7fbb2a3
 Black Robe / int_7febc23b
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Establishing Character Moment
 Black Robe / int_7febc23b
comment
Establishing Character Moment: The first thing LaForgue does is call out a French trapper for having natives hunt his game for him and paying them in liquor, establishing him as an honorable man who has the interests of the natives at heart, or at least his version of their best interests.
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Black Robe / int_7febc23b
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Signature Style
 Black Robe / int_831164fe
comment
Signature Style: The Culture Clash and being torn between two worlds, fitting neither, is the main theme of Bruce Beresford's other works. It is worth noting Beresford wanted to make an adaptation (and direct it) of the novel the moment it was published.
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 Black Robe / int_863fa679
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What Happened to the Mouse?
 Black Robe / int_863fa679
comment
What Happened to the Mouse?: We never learn what happened to the rest of the party. We also know nothing of Daniel and Annuka's plans.
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 Black Robe / int_86e1653c
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Working Through the Cold
 Black Robe / int_86e1653c
comment
Working Through the Cold: LaForgue has a severe ear infection even when still in Quebec, rendering him half-deaf and in constant pain. When he starts to doubt the point of his expedition and his own conviction, it suddenly goes away, which he takes as a sign from God. His mood also greatly improves, obviously.
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Truth in Television
 Black Robe / int_875615dd
comment
The elders in the mission reflect the real concern Hurons had when facing Jesuit missionaries - accepting new faith in the all-or-nothing form presented by "black robes" will be equal to stop being Huron and will destroy their culture and ties within the confederation, leading to pointless fractionalism. This is exactly what happened to Hurons eventually.
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Bling of War
 Black Robe / int_881b90be
comment
Bling of War: As part of the not-so-different message, right in the opening both de Champlain and Chomina prepare themselves for negotiations by slowly putting on more and more elaborate elements of their formal attire. All while otherwise being very pragmatic men wearing even more pragmatic clothes.
 Black Robe / int_881b90be
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 Black Robe / int_8cd097d1
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River of Insanity
 Black Robe / int_8cd097d1
comment
River of Insanity: Both Chomina and LaForgue get more and more anxious as they travel up-river, while members of their expedition get less and less loyal. In the same time, the missionary is slowly, if surely going native, at least as far as his moral compass goes.
 Black Robe / int_8cd097d1
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Black Robe / int_8cd097d1
 Black Robe / int_8d0785d5
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Didn't Think This Through
 Black Robe / int_8d0785d5
comment
Didn't Think This Through: Everyone insists that LaForgue should go to the remote mission right here and now, he himself included. All despite the winter being almost there. Nobody seems to notice or care it would be better to wait out until spring in relative safety of Quebec. Predictably, the expedition suffers additional hurdles once the snow starts to fall.
 Black Robe / int_8d0785d5
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 Black Robe / int_9591377d
type
Heel Realization
 Black Robe / int_9591377d
comment
Heel Realization: Eventually LaForgue realizes that not only is he sure to die a horrible death (something he already partially accepted before even departing into the wilderness), but that he is a flawed person of prideful nature. He proceeds to Turn the Other Cheek from then on.
 Black Robe / int_9591377d
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Black Robe / int_9591377d
 Black Robe / int_95afab6
type
Black Cloak
 Black Robe / int_95afab6
comment
Black Cloak: The eponymous "black robe" refers to the Jesuit habits. It's also what the natives call them.
 Black Robe / int_95afab6
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 Black Robe / int_95afab6
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Black Robe / int_95afab6
 Black Robe / int_9d0cfdb9
type
Sex Is Evil, and I Am Horny
 Black Robe / int_9d0cfdb9
comment
Sex Is Evil, and I Am Horny: It's implied (and he does so in the book) that LaForgue masturbates while watching from hiding Daniel and Annuka having sex. Once he realises what he just did, he disrobes and self-flagellates himself with a tree branch.
 Black Robe / int_9d0cfdb9
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Black Robe / int_9d0cfdb9
 Black Robe / int_9d12bbc1
type
Foreshadowing
 Black Robe / int_9d12bbc1
comment
Foreshadowing: Some of the plot is revealed early through Chomina's prophetic dreams.
 Black Robe / int_9d12bbc1
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Black Robe / int_9d12bbc1
 Black Robe / int_a11669c5
type
Braids, Beads and Buckskins
 Black Robe / int_a11669c5
comment
Braids, Beads and Buckskins: Since it takes place among the Algonquins, Mohawks and Hurons, it's pretty accurate. Notably, some of the French settlers are also shown wearing bits and pieces of native gear, even de Champlain, who dons a ceremonial cape before negotiating with Chomina.
 Black Robe / int_a11669c5
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 Black Robe / int_a11669c5
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Black Robe / int_a11669c5
 Black Robe / int_a65288e2
type
Ascended Extra
 Black Robe / int_a65288e2
comment
Ascended Extra: Chomina is significantly less prominent and important character in the book. Him being a co-lead is probably the biggest deviation in the adaptation. Annuka isn't even named until about half-way through the book.
 Black Robe / int_a65288e2
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Black Robe / int_a65288e2
 Black Robe / int_a679184b
type
Due to the Dead
 Black Robe / int_a679184b
comment
Due to the Dead: LaForgue buries father Duval, who was deliberately left untreated in the chapel by the Hurons.
 Black Robe / int_a679184b
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Black Robe / int_a679184b
 Black Robe / int_aabe2fb
type
Deliberate Values Dissonance
 Black Robe / int_aabe2fb
comment
Deliberate Values Dissonance: Forceful baptism of a dying person is strongly frowned upon in the modern Catholic Church - the consent is outright demanded. The French are very free with calling their Native American allies and charges "savages" and "barbarians," often within their hearing. Both 1700s French and Native American cultural norms are shown to be quite different from what they are today.
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Black Robe / int_aabe2fb
 Black Robe / int_ae3d6438
type
Deadpan Snarker
 Black Robe / int_ae3d6438
comment
Deadpan Snarker: LaForgue snarks at his fellow Frenchmen all the time, quite viciously at that. Alternatively, he has a truly morbid sense of humour.
 Black Robe / int_ae3d6438
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Black Robe / int_ae3d6438
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Dreaming of Things to Come
 Black Robe / int_af7d483f
comment
Dreaming of Things to Come: The Algonquin believe in the prophetic power of dreams. Chomina has a dream that he and the others treat as a prophecy. It does come true.
 Black Robe / int_af7d483f
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1.0
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Black Robe / int_af7d483f
 Black Robe / int_b8dbe475
type
Blood from the Mouth
 Black Robe / int_b8dbe475
comment
Blood from the Mouth: After being shot with an arrow (and still having the arrow-head stuck in his side), Chomina slowly succumbs to his countless wounds and starts coughing blood, more and more as the journey goes on.
 Black Robe / int_b8dbe475
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Black Robe / int_b8dbe475
 Black Robe / int_b8e3f20a
type
Demoted to Extra
 Black Robe / int_b8e3f20a
comment
Demoted to Extra: Neehatin is one of the two Algonquin chiefs within the expedition - and the more prominent to Chomina. He isn't even named within the film and majority of his traits is transplanted to Chomina, too.
 Black Robe / int_b8e3f20a
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Black Robe / int_b8e3f20a
 Black Robe / int_bead8edd
type
Injun Country
 Black Robe / int_bead8edd
comment
Injun Country: The plot takes us through the territories of four different tribes in modern-day French Canada.
 Black Robe / int_bead8edd
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Black Robe / int_bead8edd
 Black Robe / int_c181a846
type
Dies Differently in Adaptation
 Black Robe / int_c181a846
comment
Dies Differently in Adaptation: Father Gerome is killed by one of the Hurons soon after father Paul reaches the mission. In the film, he dies in his sleep.
 Black Robe / int_c181a846
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Black Robe / int_c181a846
 Black Robe / int_c2ecf3b8
type
Show Some Leg
 Black Robe / int_c2ecf3b8
comment
Show Some Leg: Annuka actually has sex with the Mohawk guard to distract him and then clobbering him in the face with a piece of a log.
 Black Robe / int_c2ecf3b8
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 Black Robe / int_c2ecf3b8
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Black Robe / int_c2ecf3b8
 Black Robe / int_c4942576
type
Cunning Linguist
 Black Robe / int_c4942576
comment
Cunning Linguist: LaForgue speaks at least French, Latin, and Algonquin, though he admits himself that he's not fluent in Algonquin, and his accent is immediately apparent to others.
 Black Robe / int_c4942576
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Black Robe / int_c4942576
 Black Robe / int_c66cb5a9
type
Human Sacrifice
 Black Robe / int_c66cb5a9
comment
Human Sacrifice: The Mohawks are planning to burn Annuka at stake as a sacrifice to their god.
 Black Robe / int_c66cb5a9
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 Black Robe / int_c66cb5a9
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Black Robe / int_c66cb5a9
 Black Robe / int_cb70651c
type
Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane
 Black Robe / int_cb70651c
comment
Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane: When LaForgue finally reaches the remote, disease-ridden mission, people that are against him start to get sick, while Catholic converts are the only ones that get back to health. He himself has mixed feelings about it, not sure if it's divine providence or just dumb luck, and the narration maintains the ambiguity.
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Black Robe / int_cb70651c
 Black Robe / int_cb83d23b
type
I Just Want to Be Special
 Black Robe / int_cb83d23b
comment
I Just Want to Be Special: After arriving to the New World, Daniel is thoroughly bored with the settlement because, rather than adventuring and stuff, he's doing the same carpentry job he was doing back in France. So he openly yearns to leave Quebec.
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Black Robe / int_cb83d23b
 Black Robe / int_cbdd9a55
type
We ARE Struggling Together
 Black Robe / int_cbdd9a55
comment
We ARE Struggling Together: The Hurons are split among converts and traditionalists - and it's detrimental to their basic survival.
 Black Robe / int_cbdd9a55
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Black Robe / int_cbdd9a55
 Black Robe / int_ce2969d8
type
Spiritual Antithesis
 Black Robe / int_ce2969d8
comment
Spiritual Antithesis: To the Noble Savage romanticism of Dances with Wolves.
 Black Robe / int_ce2969d8
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Black Robe / int_ce2969d8
 Black Robe / int_d78ea1dc
type
A Lighter Shade of Grey
 Black Robe / int_d78ea1dc
comment
A Lighter Shade of Grey: LaForgue is significantly better person - and better priest - than all the other Jesuits. He still has his pitfalls and human weaknesses, but in the same time doesn't employ any ruthless tactics nor lies. Most importantly, while the book is very critical of missionary work as such, father LaForgue is the only person in the story that wants the Huron to understand the religion he preaches, rather than simply score a tally of baptised people.
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Black Robe / int_d78ea1dc
 Black Robe / int_d7b34c31
type
Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep"
 Black Robe / int_d7b34c31
comment
Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep": The natives call the missionaries black robes due to their clothing. Once he leaves the colonial settlement LaForgue is almost exclusively referred to as "Black Robe". Daniel even calls him that once.
 Black Robe / int_d7b34c31
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Black Robe / int_d7b34c31
 Black Robe / int_e11b003d
type
Translation Convention
 Black Robe / int_e11b003d
comment
Translation Convention: English stands in for French, but the Algonquin and Mohawk languages are subtitled rather than translated.
 Black Robe / int_e11b003d
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Black Robe / int_e11b003d
 Black Robe / int_e132a621
type
Fluffy Cloud Heaven
 Black Robe / int_e132a621
comment
Fluffy Cloud Heaven: The natives have a hard time grasping the Christian concept of heaven, which is presented to them as simply basking in the glory of God, which in turn is confusing to the Jesuits. Daniel asks LaForgue why the native version of the afterlife is any less believable than people sitting on clouds gazing at God.
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Black Robe / int_e132a621
 Black Robe / int_e4965307
type
Composite Character
 Black Robe / int_e4965307
comment
Composite Character: Chomina in the film is an amalgam of positive traits (and none of their negatives) of both Chomina and Neehatin, packed into a single character.
 Black Robe / int_e4965307
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Black Robe / int_e4965307
 Black Robe / int_e563bf09
type
Insistent Terminology
 Black Robe / int_e563bf09
comment
Insistent Terminology: In the book, the natives refer to French as "Normans", and variety of their goods are under "Norman" adjective, too.
 Black Robe / int_e563bf09
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 Black Robe / int_e563bf09
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Black Robe / int_e563bf09
 Black Robe / int_e61d9a3c
type
Clothing Damage
 Black Robe / int_e61d9a3c
comment
Clothing Damage: LaForgue and Daniel's clothes gradually get dirtied and torn. LaForgue tears up part of his robe to make a bandage for Chomina and Daniel is wearing buckskins almost exclusively by the end.
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Black Robe / int_e61d9a3c
 Black Robe / int_ebc2fbac
type
Precognition
 Black Robe / int_ebc2fbac
comment
Precognition: The recurring nightmare turns out to be this. Chomina instantly recognises the place from his dream as the one where he will die. He only asks to be left there, since he's already mortally wounded.
 Black Robe / int_ebc2fbac
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Black Robe / int_ebc2fbac
 Black Robe / int_ec2d62b9
type
Cult Colony
 Black Robe / int_ec2d62b9
comment
Cult Colony: Invoked, discussed, played with and ultimately subverted, as inspecting this trope is one of the main points of the story. The French settlers mockingly refer to the amount of clergy and missionaries they get, instead of women, merchants and craftsmen to provide any future for their colony, all while other countries provide exactly that to their settlers.
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Black Robe / int_ec2d62b9
 Black Robe / int_ed68bcc9
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Dwindling Party
 Black Robe / int_ed68bcc9
comment
Dwindling Party: The party escorting LaForgue dwindles for a variety of reasons over the course of the story, and in the end, he is alone when he arrives at the Huron village.
 Black Robe / int_ed68bcc9
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Black Robe / int_ed68bcc9
 Black Robe / int_f10d3363
type
Distracted by the Sexy
 Black Robe / int_f10d3363
comment
Distracted by the Sexy: Annuka crawls up to the guard in the Mohawk village and proceeds to have sex with him... then bashes his head open with a wooden log right when he's too busy climaxing to react.
 Black Robe / int_f10d3363
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Black Robe / int_f10d3363
 Black Robe / int_f36c4f98
type
Easily Forgiven
 Black Robe / int_f36c4f98
comment
Easily Forgiven: Annuka casually declares that they will leave LaForgue as a captive of the Iroquois. After Chomina overrules her, LaForgue seems to bear her no ill will, and everyone seems to just forget about her attempt to have him brutally tortured to death.
 Black Robe / int_f36c4f98
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Black Robe / int_f36c4f98
 Black Robe / int_f7588306
type
Reverse Psychology
 Black Robe / int_f7588306
comment
Reverse Psychology: After escaping from the Mohawks, LaForgue suggests they still go up-river to the Huron mission, as the Mohawks will rather assume they tried to go downstream to join fellow Algonquins. Chomina agrees, finally admitting the Jesuit is not as stupid as he looks.
 Black Robe / int_f7588306
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Black Robe / int_f7588306
 Black Robe / int_fd86da63
type
Crisis of Faith
 Black Robe / int_fd86da63
comment
Crisis of Faith: The entire escapade is one huge test of faith for LaForgue.
 Black Robe / int_fd86da63
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Black Robe / int_fd86da63
 Black Robe / int_ffad4e9f
type
Shown Their Work
 Black Robe / int_ffad4e9f
comment
Shown Their Work: It's a faithful adaptation of a very well-researched book, going another extra mile during filming to keep things as close to recreation of the period and culture of different native tribes as feasible.
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ItemName
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Black Robe

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Black Robe
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Big Little Man / int_b0c5d9a5
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seeAlso
Black Robe
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Canadian Movies / int_b0c5d9a5
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Christian Fiction / int_b0c5d9a5
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Evil Jesuit / int_b0c5d9a5
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Films of 1990–1994 / int_b0c5d9a5
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Fluffy Cloud Heaven / int_b0c5d9a5
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Foreseeing My Death / int_b0c5d9a5
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Injun Country / int_b0c5d9a5
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Magical Native American / int_b0c5d9a5
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River of Insanity / int_b0c5d9a5
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Show Some Leg / int_b0c5d9a5
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The Missionary / int_b0c5d9a5
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The Savage Indian / int_b0c5d9a5
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Scarpia Ultimatum / int_b0c5d9a5