Student Question
In Chocolat, what does Vianne learn about Armande through chocolate?
Quick answer:
Through chocolate, Vianne learns that Armande is strong-willed and estranged from her pious daughter and grandson. Vianne helps reunite the family by arranging meetings between Armande and her grandson. Despite Armande's diabetes, she indulges in chocolate, reflecting her defiant nature. Vianne's influence culminates in a family celebration for Armande's birthday, highlighting her role in rekindling familial bonds.
First of all, keep in mind that Armande is a character who will do what she wants to do, despite what others think (a fact which infuriates and eventually alienates her daughter).
It seems, therefore, that Armande actually sees similar qualities in Vianne when she opens up her Chocolaterie in a small town right in the middle of Lent. You asked first in your question "how." Well, Armande comes to the shop, and she and Vianne click immediately. Through what become fairly regular visits to the shop, Vianne and Armande seal a wonderful and open friendship. First, Vianne discovers who Armande's daughter is (a very religious and pious woman who is ashamed of her mother) and then that Armande does not have a relationship with her grandson. Vianne arranges for the two to meet once a week and read poetry. It is almost as if Vianne is the daughter Armande...
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never had and always wanted.
She discovers that Armande has a history with the priest in town who is laying guilt on all his parishoners for their Lenten indulgences. Armande does not attend weekly mass and makes no excuses for it.
Eventually, and probably too late, Vianne discovers that Armande suffers from (presumably as I don't believe it is ever mentioned by name) diabetes, and the indulgences she affords herself in the Chocolaterie are probably killing her. Not that knowing would have mattered. Armande is a woman who does what she pleases despite and sometimes to spite anyone who gets in her way.
In the end, the entire family comes together (with others) to celebrate Armande's birthday. Armande herself has planned the whole thing, of course, but it could not have been carried out if it were not for Vianne. In this way, Vianne is responsible for bringing Armande together with her grandson and her daughter - but in doing this - also reconnects Armande's grandson with his mother.
In Chocolat, how does Vianne learn about Josephine through chocolate?
When Vianne first sees Josephine Muscat, she notices the same things the rest of the town sees - head down, shaky hands, darting eyes, and the look of a "victim." She discovers her "favorite" chocolate one day when Josephine comes in and discreetly steals it. Vianne knows right then that there is more to Josephine than the victim that everyone else merely pities.
It takes her much longer to get through to Josephine than many of the other characters, but when she finally does, she sees that Josephine has a strength inside that is not dead - but has merely been repressed since she's been in an emotionally and phyisically abusive marriage. Josephine is also stricken with immense guilt because while she knows her life could certainly be better, somewhere deep down she once loved her husband, and continues to hold on to the hope that things will get better.
Vianne, without pressing her too hard lest she scare her away, eventually succeeds in giving Josephine the encouragement she needs. Listen to Vianne's description of her when Josephine finally decides to leave her husband (I think it sums up the answer to your question pretty well):
Her eyes were knives. For the first time since we met, I saw Josephine as she was before ten years of Paul-Marie Muscat had made her wan and ungainly. Half mad with fear, but underneathe the madness, a sanity that chills the heart.