6 The Soldier of Koléa 1957–1959
The newly married couple spent a few days in Paris, where Jackie
was unpleasantly surprised to discover that all the books from his
years as a teenager and young man, left in a trunk in Normale Sup,
had disappeared in his absence. This theft would sadden him for a
long time – especially since he was already in the habit of keeping
everything.
The main task, during the two months before Derrida started mili-
tary service, was to patch up things with the couple’s families: having
been disconcerted by their departure for America, Marguerite’s
parents, and Jackie’s even more, were hurt by the wedding that had
taken place so far away, and to which they had not been invited. As
Derrida explained to Michel Monory, a few days after his return to
El Biar: ‘As usual, and perhaps even more seriously, since I’m with
Marguerite and because Algeria has become what it is, I’m feeling
ill.’ Everybody was prowling round them, depriving them of the inti-
macy to which they aspired. ‘Marguerite’s family, where I don’t feel
entirely at ease either, is in spite of everything much more discreet
and silent.’^1
But things soon settled down. Once their disappointment at not
being able to throw a big party had faded, Jackie’s parents adopted
Marguerite, who fi tted into their world with remarkable ease. Aimé
Derrida was particularly charmed, though he still asked his son with
some anxiety whether his future children would have a religious
upbringing. ‘They’ll be self-determining,’ replied Jackie, which only
partly satisfi ed his father.^2
After El Biar, the couple returned to mainland France, and spent
a few weeks at Les Rassats, the property of the Aucouturier family,
near Angoulême. Although Jackie was very keen to introduce
Marguerite to Michel Monory, they missed each other yet again.
Jackie returned to Algeria on 24 August and was drafted at the
beginning of September. For a month, he attended classes at Fort-
de-l’Eau, just outside Algiers, learning how to stand to attention
and handle weapons before taking up the teaching post that had