Adieu Paris, Duty Calls at Home:
Edme marries a peasant girl and settles in stony Sacy
As soon as Pierre Restif learned of Edmond’s intention of marrying in Paris, he ordered his son to return home immediately, claiming that he was on his death bed. Although Pierre was in good health, he so abhorred the idea of Edmond, his only son, abandoning his rural roots and marrying in Paris that he was determined to prevent it.
To ensure that Edmond settled in the region, Pierre arranged for Edmond to marry the daughter of Thomas Dondaine, a prosperous farmer who lived in the nearby village of Sacy. Elated at seeing his father in good health, Edmond nonetheless broke into tears at the thought of giving up Rose in Paris for Marie in Sacy.
Edmond, cursed is the son or daughter who does not respect his father, and blessed are the son and daughter who are obedient, despite what they might feel in their hearts. Heaven will bless them. Whatever sorrow marriage may bring will appear as nothing if they can say to themselves in all conscience 'Lord, I have been obedient. I have obeyed you in obeying my father, who is the image of your glory on earth. My dear son, I give you my blessing.'" [p. 47]
"The Last Rites"
"The body of a good man is the truest temple of God"
(La Vie de Mon Père)
Torn by his love for Rose and filial duty, Edmond passed a sleepless night of tears and torment. When dawn broke he reached a decision. He would gave up Rose and his prospects in Paris in order to conform to his father's wishes.
On the eve of the marriage, Pierre's feigned illness turned into reality, and his sudden death heightened the moral tension of the hero's choice.
Edmond did not waver, Pierre's dying wish was honored by a devoted son. On the day Pierre was laid to rest, Edmond took the good-hearted and homely Marie Dondaine as his wife and settled himself in the household of his father-in-law, a crude man of much ill humor.
Obedience conquers all.
"Here's a son who obeys his deceased father."
(La Vie de Mon Père)