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Labour

Turnkey

porte-clefs

Porte-clefs literally evokes the bearer of keys and here names a prison attendant or turnkey, not a key ring.

From the book

The Gods Are Athirst

Anatole France · Diotimos Editions · 2026

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Meaning

Lemma.

Porte-clefs literally evokes the bearer of keys and here names a prison attendant or turnkey, not a key ring. Maubel entrusts his farewell letter to this person and pays him to forward it. Brotteaux also learns through a turnkey where Longuemare is confined. The job mediates information, movement and fragile communication inside the prison.

Places to read

  1. Chapter XVI, paragraph 63Frenchau porte-clefs: to the turnkey. Maubel asks him to deliver the letter enclosing a lock of hair.
  2. Chapter XIX, paragraph 9Frenchpar le porte-clefs: through the turnkey. Brotteaux learns the priest’s condition.