Why does Jacob go west?

Jacob gets away from the Tourniers, and he goes west because Ella wants him to end up in Montbéliard, which is the birthplace of the painter Nicolas Tournier. Now, we know as a fact that Nicolas Tournier’s father was not named Jacob, but remember, Ella is writing these historical sections, and she feels an affinity with the painter, wanting to connect her family to his in some way. So she hints that Jacob could be the painter’s father even though she and we know he isn’t.

Yes, a little confusing! I would do this differently if I had to write it all again…


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