François Mauriac's The Lamb tells the story of Xavier Dartigelongue, a seminary candidate who postpones his ministry to rescue Jean and his wife, who are facing marital problems. Xavier's visit to the Mirbel family home leads him into a struggle between passion and desperation, where his rescue mission threatens to become a quest for self-preservation. Xavier's initial mission to save the couple risks becoming a project of self-preservation, both morally and emotionally. The novel explores the power of passion and how it can shake a person's resolve and purpose.