Between Two Fires

Content Warning: This source material contains sexual assault and the threat of sexual assault on minors, as well as alcohol addiction and extreme instances of body horror. It also depicts societal anti-gay bias and antisemitism.

Through Thomas’s internal transformation, Buehlman emphasizes that forgiveness and rebirth are possible for anyone. Thomas’s desire for vengeance almost compromises his soul, yet Delphine sees his goodness even through his violent actions. Thomas’s choice to forgive others changes the trajectory of his life and his soul’s destination, showing the possibility of change and renewal.

Thomas’s turn from vengeance toward sacrificial love encapsulates the process of redemption. Although Delphine sees a devil by his soul when she meets him, she does not let Thomas’s violence deter her from showing him love and compassion. Delphine knows that fear of Hell or suffering will not help Thomas; the only thing that truly changes people’s hearts, the novel suggests, is complete love and acceptance. However, while Thomas learns to temper his violence, he does not show a major shift in character until Delphine baptizes him, which requires that he first forgive Marguerite and any others who have wronged him. Through Delphine’s example of accepting Thomas himself, Thomas realizes that true freedom requires forgiving the people who hurt him—that is, sacrificing his personal grievance in favor of empathy.