6th Story
Two Little Soldiers
Guy de Maupassant
"Two
Little Soldiers" is a short
story by Guy de Maupassant, a famous French writer known
for writing about real-life emotions and situations. This story is about friendship, routine, and jealousy.
Setting
The story takes place during the Franco-Prussian
War, in a quiet countryside near a military camp in France. The
soldiers are far from home and spend their Sundays in nature, away from the
war. This peaceful setting contrasts with the harsh reality of war and shows
how the two soldiers try to find comfort and friendship in their free time.
Plot
Maurice and Louis are two young soldiers and close
friends. Every Sunday, they walk to the same spot in the countryside to relax
and enjoy nature. One day, they meet a young village girl, and both
start to like her. The girl begins to spend more time with Maurice, and Louis
becomes jealous. One Sunday, Louis does not return, and it is later found
that he has drowned in the river. The story ends sadly, showing how
jealousy and change in friendship can lead to tragedy.
Main Characters
- Maurice – A young
soldier who enjoys peaceful Sundays with his friend and later becomes
close to the village girl.
- Louis – Maurice’s
best friend who becomes sad and jealous when the girl starts liking
Maurice more.
- The
Girl – A village
girl who talks with the soldiers and unknowingly causes jealousy between
them.
- Narrator – An
observer who tells the story and gives insight into the soldiers'
friendship.
Themes
- The
Futility of War: The story illustrates the
senselessness of war and the fragility of life. Maurice and Louis are both
young men whose lives are cut short by war, and their rivalry over a woman
becomes a tragic commentary on how war disrupts human relationships and
destroys the potential for happiness.
- Youth
and Innocence: The soldiers are depicted as
young, innocent, and full of hope, yet their lives are shaped by the
harshness of war. Their rivalry over the woman represents the immaturity
and emotional turmoil of youth, which is ultimately overshadowed by the
larger tragedy of the war.
- Love
and Rivalry: The story explores the theme of
love and the complex emotions that can arise from it, such as jealousy,
rivalry, and the search for validation. The soldiers’ feelings for the
woman and their competition for her attention symbolize the intense and
sometimes irrational nature of love.
- Irony
and Tragedy: Maupassant’s use of irony
highlights the absurdity of the soldiers’ situation. Their attempts to
seek love and escape the horrors of war only lead to their untimely
deaths, underscoring the tragic futility of their actions.
Summary in short
Two Little Soldiers
is a short story about two young French soldiers, Luc
and Jean, who are close friends. Every Sunday, they go
to the countryside to relax and enjoy nature. There, they meet a kind and
pretty milkmaid,
and both of them begin to like her. At first, their friendship remains strong,
but slowly, jealousy starts to grow between them as they both
try to win her attention.
The milkmaid talks to both soldiers but does not clearly choose
either one. This makes the soldiers feel confused and tense. Their strong
friendship begins to fall apart because of their feelings for her. One day,
Jean is found dead in the river, and it’s not clear if it was an accident or
suicide. The story ends sadly, showing how jealousy and
rivalry can destroy even the closest bonds. It also reflects on
the pointlessness of war and emotional conflict.
Summary
in detail
Two Little Soldiers by Guy de Maupassant is a short story set during the
Franco-Prussian War, focusing on two young French soldiers, Luc and Jean. These
two soldiers are childhood friends who have joined the military to fight in the
war. They are stationed at a small outpost and pass their time together,
sharing the same fears, hopes, and dreams. The bond between Luc and Jean is
close, and despite the hardships of war, they provide each other with comfort
and companionship. Their youth and innocence contrast sharply with the grim
realities of the war they are enduring.
One day, Luc and Jean meet a young milkmaid, a beautiful and
charming woman, who works in the area. She catches their attention and quickly
becomes the object of their affection. The milkmaid is depicted as kind,
pleasant, and simple, embodying the purity and serenity that the soldiers long
for amidst the violence and devastation of war. The soldiers, tired of the
brutality of the conflict, both develop feelings for her, and their friendship
begins to shift as they start competing for her attention and favor.
The milkmaid, who is aware of the soldiers’ admiration for her,
begins to play a role in the growing rivalry between Luc and Jean. They begin
to visit her regularly, and their feelings for her deepen. The milkmaid is not
oblivious to the soldiers' competition, but her affection remains ambiguous.
She seems to enjoy the attention from both men, leading to increasing tension
between the two soldiers. What initially started as innocent admiration soon
turns into an intense rivalry, with each soldier hoping to win her love.
As the story progresses, the rivalry between Luc and Jean intensifies.
Their bond, once unbreakable, begins to fray as they become consumed by their
feelings for the milkmaid. The tension reaches a breaking point when both
soldiers decide to confront the situation, each thinking that the other is a
threat to his chances of winning the milkmaid’s affection. However, the tragic
irony of the story comes when both soldiers, in their quest for her love, end
up making a fateful decision that leads to their untimely deaths. The milkmaid,
who had never truly committed to either of them, remains unaffected by the
tragic outcome.
In the end, Luc and Jean’s rivalry, driven by their feelings for
the milkmaid, ends in futility and loss. The story illustrates the tragic
absurdity of human desires and the futility of war. Maupassant uses the
characters of Luc, Jean, and the milkmaid to explore themes of youth, love,
rivalry, and the senselessness of conflict. Their actions, motivated by
fleeting emotions, ultimately lead to their deaths, highlighting the fragility
of life and the irony of their situation. Through this tragic tale, Maupassant
reflects on how human beings often let trivial matters, like love or jealousy,
take precedence over the larger, more meaningful aspects of life.
Understanding the text
Answer these
questions.
a. Why do the
two soldiers spend their free time on Sundays away from the barrack out in the
countryside?
The two soldiers spend their free
time on Sundays away from the barracks in the countryside to escape the rigid
structure and stress of military life. The tranquil, open space of the
countryside offers them a much-needed break, providing solitude and a peaceful environment
where they can unwind and reflect. It allows them to reconnect with nature,
find a sense of freedom, and engage in personal activities or hobbies that
might not be possible within the confines of the barracks. This time away helps
them recharge mentally and emotionally, offering a brief respite from the
demands of their duties and the pressures of military life.
b. Why does the girl become the topic of conversation for these
soldiers?
The girl becomes the topic of
conversation for the soldiers because she likely stands out to them in some
way, drawing their attention. She might possess qualities that intrigue
them—whether it's her physical appearance, her behavior, or a personal
interaction they had with her. In a setting where soldiers have limited social
interaction outside their comrades, they may become fixated on something or
someone that deviates from the norm, creating curiosity or speculation.
Additionally, in their idle moments, discussing a person like her could provide
an escape from the monotony of military life and serve as a source of
entertainment or distraction.
c. Why does deception enter into their friendship?
Deception enters into their
friendship because one or both soldiers may feel the need to hide their true
intentions or feelings, possibly due to fear of judgment or the desire to
protect themselves. In a close-knit environment like the military, where trust
and loyalty are emphasized, they might feel compelled to present themselves in
a certain way to maintain their bond or avoid conflict. Deception could also
stem from jealousy, competition, or a desire to gain favor with the girl,
leading them to conceal their true thoughts or actions. Ultimately, the
presence of deception may reflect deeper insecurities or desires that threaten
the authenticity of their friendship.
d. Do you think that Luc is a betrayer of friendship?
Based on the context you've
provided, Luc could be considered a betrayer of friendship if his actions
involve deceit, selfish motives, or manipulation that harms his friend. If Luc
hides the truth, takes advantage of his friend’s trust, or puts his own desires
ahead of the well-being of the friendship, these behaviors would suggest
betrayal. Friendship relies on honesty, loyalty, and mutual respect, so any
violation of these principles especially for personal gain would lead to the
breakdown of trust, making Luc's actions feel like a betrayal. However, the
full extent of his betrayal would depend on the specific circumstances and
motivations behind his actions.
e. What is the cause of suicide of Jean? Do you think that it was the
only release of his love?
The cause of Jean's suicide could stem from a combination of
emotional turmoil, unrequited love, feelings of betrayal, and perhaps a sense
of hopelessness. If Jean had fallen deeply in love with someone, possibly the
girl or his friend, and found his feelings unreciprocated or betrayed, it might
have driven him to a state of emotional distress. The complexity of his
relationships especially if there was deception or unspoken tension could have
created a sense of isolation, where suicide seemed like the only way to escape
his overwhelming emotions.
As for whether suicide was the only release of his love, it seems
that Jean might have viewed it as the only way to express or resolve his
feelings. However, suicide is rarely the only way to cope with emotional pain;
it often reflects a moment of profound despair. There might have been other
ways for Jean to release his love, such as through communication, finding
support from others, or finding meaning in other aspects of life, but in his
moment of crisis, he may have felt that there were no alternatives. His tragic
end highlights the complexity of love, loss, and mental health struggles,
showing that sometimes individuals in deep emotional pain cannot see past their
immediate distress.
Reference to the context
a. What is the central theme of the story?
The central theme of the story
appears to be the complexities of love, friendship, and betrayal. It explores the
emotional conflicts that arise within relationships, where feelings of
affection, desire, and jealousy can lead to misunderstandings, deception, and
ultimately, tragic outcomes. The characters are likely grappling with their
inner turmoil, trying to navigate their desires and personal connections in an
environment that intensifies their emotions. At the heart of the story is the
idea that human relationships are fragile and can be easily disrupted by
unspoken truths, lies, or unrequited love, often leading to feelings of
isolation, despair, and, in extreme cases, self-destruction.
d. Two Little Soldiers can be viewed as a series of dramatic scenes.
Describe the story as tragedy.
Two Little Soldiers can indeed be viewed as a tragedy, as it centers around themes
of love, betrayal, and the inevitable consequences of emotional turmoil. The
story unfolds as a series of dramatic moments that escalate in intensity,
ultimately leading to a tragic end.
At the heart of the tragedy is the relationship between the two
soldiers, who initially share a strong bond of friendship but are soon tested
by deception and unspoken desires. Their connection is strained when they both
fall for the same girl, and their rivalry and jealousy intensify as they
attempt to win her affection. In this tense environment, they begin to deceive
one another, each hiding their true feelings or intentions, which create
emotional chaos.
The tragic element deepens when one of the soldiers, Jean, unable
to bear the pain of unrequited love and the betrayal he perceives, takes his
own life. His death underscores the profound emotional devastation that can
arise from unresolved conflicts and the crushing weight of rejection and
loneliness. The soldiers' bond, once strong, is shattered by their actions,
leading to a sense of irreversible loss.
The story emphasizes the fragility of human relationships, showing
how love and friendship can quickly turn into sources of deep pain and regret.
Jean’s suicide serves as the tragic climax, illustrating the destructive power
of emotional vulnerability and the fatal consequences of miscommunication,
jealousy, and deceit. In the end, Two Little Soldiers is a
poignant reflection on the dark side of human emotions, highlighting the
tragedy that can result from unaddressed longing and the inability to cope with
the complexities of love and loyalty.
e. What is the setting and style of the story?
The setting of Two Little Soldiers is within a military barracks and
the surrounding countryside, contrasting the rigid, disciplined environment of
the soldiers' daily lives with the freedom and emotional complexity of their
personal struggles. The barracks represent confinement and routine, while the
countryside offers a temporary escape. The style of the story is simple yet
emotionally charged, focusing on the internal conflicts of the characters and
the subtle tensions in their interactions. The narrative is marked by concise
language and quiet, reflective moments, allowing the deeper emotional layers of
love, jealousy, and betrayal to unfold through dialogue and actions rather than
overt exposition. This minimalist approach heightens the emotional intensity,
emphasizing the tragic consequences of the characters' unspoken desires and the
fragility of their relationships.
f. How would you describe the conflict between the friends?
The conflict between the friends
in Two Little Soldiers is rooted in rivalry,
jealousy, and deception, ultimately straining their bond to the point of
breaking. Initially, the two soldiers share a strong friendship, but the
arrival of the girl introduces a deep emotional conflict between them. Both
soldiers fall for her, and their once-solid friendship becomes tangled in
unspoken competition for her affection. This rivalry intensifies as their
emotions clash, with each soldier hiding his true feelings, deceiving the other
to maintain an advantage. The tension between them escalates, revealing their
vulnerabilities, insecurities, and desires. As they betray one another’s trust,
their friendship deteriorates, and the conflict culminates in tragic
consequences. The emotional conflict between the friends is not only about love
for the girl but also about their own sense of pride, loyalty, and personal
identity, which ultimately leads to a devastating rupture.
Reference beyond the text
a. Is
it good to have conflict between friendship and love? Is it morally good that a
person and his best friend can love the same person?
No, it is not ideal to have conflict between
friendship and love, as it often creates emotional strain and complicates
relationships. When love and friendship collide, it can lead to jealousy,
resentment, and misunderstandings. Such conflicts can damage both the romantic
relationship and the bond of friendship if not addressed with care and
maturity. Ideally, love and friendship should complement each other, not
compete against one another, and when they do clash, it often requires open
communication, empathy, and self-awareness to navigate.
Yes, it is not morally wrong for a person and their best friend to
both falls in love with the same person, as love is an uncontrollable emotion.
The moral aspect depends on how the individuals handle the situation. If they
approach it with respect, honesty, and consideration for each other’s feelings,
it can be a complex but navigable scenario. The moral dilemma arises when
either person behaves selfishly, manipulates the situation, or disregards the
impact of their actions on the friendship and the other person involved. How
they choose to handle their emotions is what determines whether it is morally
acceptable or harmful.
b. How would you describe the triangular love?
Triangular love refers to a complex emotional situation where
three individuals are involved in a love dynamic, often characterized by a
conflict of interests, desires, or feelings. The most common form of triangular
love involves two people vying for the affection of a third, which creates
tension, jealousy, and competition. In this scenario, the emotions and
relationships of all three individuals become entangled, leading to a
complicated and often painful situation.
Psychologist Robert Sternberg’s Triangular
Theory of Love further describes this concept, identifying
three key components of love: intimacy, passion, and commitment. These
components can manifest in different ways within the love triangle, making it
more challenging to navigate. For example, one person might experience deep
emotional intimacy with one person while feeling passionate about another. The
triangular love dynamic often creates a moral and emotional dilemma, as each
person’s desires and loyalties clash, making it difficult to balance love and
maintain healthy relationships.
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