Under the Sun of Satan

Donissan is newly ordained and sent to a rural parish under the veteran priest Menou-Segrais. He immediately wrestles with doubts about his vocation and subjects himself to flagellation to prove his worth. Menou-Segrais senses a powerful capacity for good in him, even as he worries about the young priest's unrest.

Donissan confesses his feelings of unworthiness to Menou-Segrais, admitting that he questions whether he is truly fit for the priesthood. He imposes severe self-flagellation as he searches for spiritual certainty. Menou-Segrais tries to reassure him that doubt does not disqualify his calling.

Menou-Segrais warns about Donissan's unsettled state but tells him it is not too late to choose another path if needed. Yet he also recognizes the young man's extraordinary potential to do good should he endure. The exchange foreshadows a clash between vocation and inner torment.

Mouchette, the 16-year-old daughter of a brewer and Cadignan's lover, visits Cadignan at his home with plans to run away to Paris. In the morning, Cadignan lies dead after an incident with her loaded shotgun, and she washes the blood from her clothes. The event sets in motion a chain of tragedies that will test the priest's conscience.

Following that, she goes to Doctor Gallet and they have sex; she reveals she is pregnant. Gallet notes Cadignan's death is ruled a suicide and refuses to help with an abortion.

Worried by the parishioners' discomfort with Donissan, Menou-Segrais sends him to assist in another village. Donissan walks the dark fields to the new assignment, uneasy about the recent events and his own inner turmoil.

On the way, a mysterious horse-trader confronts Donissan, revealed to be an incarnation of Satan. He cannot seduce him, but he concedes that Donissan has the gift of seeing into souls. The encounter marks the beginning of Donissan's awareness of his uncanny powers.

Donissan faints and later wakes to find Mouchette wandering in the fields. He tells her that he can see her life and thoughts and that she must repent for killing Cadignan.

In despair, Mouchette returns to her parents' house and cuts her throat with a razor. Donissan fears the worst and goes there to confront the tragedy and to pray for her soul.

He carries her bleeding body to the church and lays it before the altar, praying that her soul will be saved. The shocking act fuels Donissan's reputation as a holy man amid growing turmoil. The act also foreshadows the consequences of his radical compassion.

Donissan is transferred to another parish, where people gradually recognize him as a holy man despite his ongoing spiritual turmoil. His notoriety grows as the community questions and venerates him in equal measure.

A farmer from a neighboring village asks Donissan to come to his dying little son. He is initially reluctant, but goes to the bedroom and, as he prays, the child's eyes open, giving those present a moment of grace and belief. The miracle reinforces Donissan's power despite his inner unrest.

The strain of his mental torments and the demands of the parishioners leave Donissan fragile. One night he is attacked by Satan and prays to God to keep him alive if there is still use for him, seeking a sign of divine purpose.

Donissan recovers enough to return to the confessional. After the last parishioner leaves, Menou-Segrais goes to the confessional box and finds Donissan dead, marking the end of his trials and his life of sacred turmoil.