Two Little Soldiers – Guy de Maupassant
Introduction
Guy de Maupassant was a French writer famous for his touching and realistic short stories. "Two Little Soldiers" is a story about friendship, jealousy, and loss. It is included in the curriculum to help students understand emotions, loyalty, and the value of true friendship through simple but powerful storytelling.
Short Summary
Two young soldiers, Luc and Jean, spend their Sundays together in the countryside. Their friendship is tested when a milkmaid enters their lives, leading to jealousy and heartbreak. The story ends with a sad lesson about the fragility of friendship.
Detailed Summary
"Two Little Soldiers" tells the story of Luc and Jean, two close friends serving in the French army. Every Sunday, they escape the strict life of the barracks to enjoy the peaceful countryside. Their favorite spot is a quiet field where they can relax, talk, and watch the world go by. The arrival of a friendly milkmaid brings a new excitement to their routine. Both friends enjoy her company, but neither speaks about their feelings. The countryside, with its calm beauty, becomes a place of comfort and happiness for them.
As the weeks pass, Jean secretly visits the milkmaid alone, breaking the silent trust between the friends. Luc feels left out and deeply hurt by Jean’s actions. The pain of betrayal is too much for Luc, who cannot express his feelings or compete for the milkmaid’s attention. The story shows how a small change can upset the balance of a close friendship. The gentle setting of the countryside contrasts with the storm of emotions inside Luc’s heart.
In the end, Luc’s sadness leads him to a tragic decision. Unable to bear the loss of his friend’s loyalty, he drowns himself in the river. The story ends with a powerful message about the importance of trust, the pain of jealousy, and the need to care for our friends. Maupassant’s simple language and touching scenes make this story easy to read but hard to forget. It teaches students to value friendship and to be honest about their feelings.
Narrative Structure Breakdown
- Exposition: Luc and Jean enjoy peaceful Sundays together.
- Rising Action: They meet a milkmaid and both become fond of her.
- Climax: Jean visits the milkmaid alone, breaking Luc’s trust.
- Falling Action: Luc feels betrayed and heartbroken.
- Resolution: Luc’s sadness leads to a tragic ending.
Themes & Meanings
- Friendship and Betrayal: The story shows how trust is important in friendship.
- Jealousy: Jealousy can hurt even the closest friends.
- Loneliness: Feeling left out can lead to sadness and loss.
- Innocence and Experience: Growing up means facing hard truths about relationships.
Character Sketches
- Luc: Sensitive, loyal, and deeply hurt by betrayal.
- Jean: Friendly but unaware of Luc’s feelings, his actions cause pain.
- The Milkmaid: Kind and cheerful, she becomes the center of the friends’ attention.
Important Vocabulary
- Barracks: Buildings where soldiers live.
- Milkmaid: A girl who delivers milk.
- Betrayal: Being disloyal to a friend.
- Jealousy: Feeling upset when someone else gets attention.
- Fragile: Easily broken or hurt.
Exam-Style Q&A
-
Q:
What is the main conflict in "Two Little Soldiers"?
A: The betrayal of friendship when Jean visits the milkmaid alone. -
Q:
How does Luc react to Jean’s betrayal?
A: He is heartbroken and takes his own life. -
Q:
What does the countryside symbolize in the story?
A: Peace, escape, and the innocence of friendship. -
Q:
What lesson does the story teach about friendship?
A: True friendship is precious but can be easily hurt by jealousy. -
Q:
How does the story end?
A: With Luc’s tragic death, showing the pain of loss and betrayal.
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