Boule de Suif

Summary

«Boule de Suif» is a story about a group of French citizens who are forced to leave their town of Rouen, occupied by the Prussians during the Franco-Prussian War. They set off on a journey in a stagecoach, among them wealthy bourgeois, nuns, and a young woman nicknamed Boule de Suif, known for her profession. Initially, the other passengers look down on her, but when they find themselves in a difficult situation, Boule de Suif shares her food with them. However, when a Prussian officer demands that Boule de Suif spend the night with him in exchange for permission to continue their journey, the other passengers pressure her to agree. After she complies, they begin to despise her again, forgetting her kindness. The story explores themes of hypocrisy, class prejudice, and the moral decline of society.

Main Ideas

• Critique of societal hypocrisy and double standards
• Depiction of class differences and prejudices
• Theme of patriotism and national pride
• Issue of moral choice and personal honor
• Impact of war on human relationships and behavior
• Idea of sacrifice and selflessness for the common good
• Portrayal of human nature and weaknesses through social circumstances

Main Characters and Their Development

• Elisabeth Rousset, known as Boule de Suif, is the main character, a prostitute with a kind heart and patriotic feelings. She shows courage and determination when she agrees to travel in the stagecoach with other passengers to leave the occupied town. Boule de Suif becomes a victim of the hypocrisy and selfishness of her companions, who initially scorn her but later exploit her sacrifice for their own benefit. Her development reveals her true kindness and patriotism, despite being initially presented as a woman of easy virtue.
• Countess Hubert de Bréville is one of the stagecoach passengers, a member of the upper class. She initially despises Boule de Suif but later uses her sacrifice when it becomes advantageous. Her development highlights the hypocrisy and selfishness inherent in some members of the upper class.
• Count Hubert de Bréville, the Countess's husband, also travels in the stagecoach. He supports his wife's attitude towards Boule de Suif, demonstrating the same traits of hypocrisy and selfishness.
• Monsieur and Madame Carré-Lamadon are bourgeois who also travel in the stagecoach. They represent typical middle-class individuals who care only about their own interests and are willing to use others for their purposes.
• Cornudet is a democrat and revolutionary who also travels in the stagecoach. He initially supports Boule de Suif but ultimately succumbs to public opinion and fails to defend her when necessary.

Style and Technique

Guy de Maupassant's story «Boule de Suif» is characterized by a realistic style and skillful depiction of human characters and social relationships. The author uses simple yet expressive language to convey the atmosphere of the time and place. Maupassant employs irony and sarcasm to highlight societal hypocrisy and double standards. The story has a linear structure, with a clear plot development centered around the journey of a group of people during the Franco-Prussian War. Special attention is given to the internal struggles and moral dilemmas of the characters, allowing for a deeper exploration of their personalities. Maupassant masterfully uses dialogues to convey tension and conflicts between characters, as well as to create vivid and memorable images. The story concludes with an unexpected ending, leaving the reader to ponder the nature of human kindness and selfishness.

Interesting Facts

• The book is considered one of Guy de Maupassant's most famous works and is part of the collection «Les Soirées de Médan», published in 1880.
• The main character, Elisabeth Rousset, known as Boule de Suif, is a prostitute, yet she is portrayed as a person with high moral standards and patriotism.
• The plot unfolds during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, giving the work a historical context and emphasizing the theme of patriotism and human nature in wartime conditions.
• The work explores social prejudices and hypocrisy, showing how society can be cruel and unjust to those who do not conform to its standards.
• Maupassant uses the contrast between the external and internal worlds of the characters to highlight their true motives and character, making the story deep and multilayered.
• The book is acclaimed for its realism and masterful depiction of human psychology, which became a hallmark of Maupassant's style.

Book Review

Guy de Maupassant's «Boule de Suif» is a striking example of realistic prose, where the author skillfully combines social satire with deep psychological insight. Critics note that Maupassant explores the theme of human morality and societal hypocrisy in this work. Set during the Franco-Prussian War, the author shows how extreme conditions reveal people's true character traits. The main character, Boule de Suif, embodies kindness and self-sacrifice but faces scorn and ingratitude from those around her. Maupassant uses her character to highlight the double standards and selfishness of bourgeois society. Critics also praise the author's skill in creating vivid and memorable characters, as well as his ability to convey the atmosphere of the time and place. Overall, «Boule de Suif» is considered one of Maupassant's finest works, showcasing his talent in depicting human nature and social issues.