Class 11 New course

Two Little Soldiers

by Guy de Maupassant

characters: 

Luc Le Ganidec: He was carefree and open minded

Jean Kerderen: He  was quiet and

The milkmaid 

Summary:   

Both of them used to spent their holiday away from barrack every Sunday. They used to go countryside. They used to go to little woods to spend their time as it used remind them about their homeland. They hardly talked with each other when they left the barrack.

They used to stop at Bezon’s bridge. They used to enjoy the river Seine. On the way, they would buy some things so that they could spend their days. As they were passing the time at the village side, they saw a young milkmaid. She used to go to the pastor to milk the cow. One day she opened conversation with them. She also gave them some milk. Frequently, they used to talk with other. They became good friends in short period of time. Jean Kerderen advised Luck Le Ganidec to buy some present for the girl. They bought some candy for her. However, they were shy to inform her about the present. Finally, Luc revealed about it. She was happpy to receive the present. Then after, she became a good friend with them.

After a while, Luc Le Ganidec started leaving the barracks. On Tuesday, he returned to barrack quite late. He again left the barrack on Friday. He borrowed the money but did not explain the reason for it. Next weekend, they went to the countryside to spend the time. The girl became delighted to see Luc. She kissed him. She did not pay attention to Jean. Both, they disappeared in the wood for a long time. Jean was alone. He was desperate. He failed to understand their relation. He came to know about Luc’s behavior. After returning from shed, she again kissed Luc. She did not give milk to Jean.

Jean was feeling quite upset. As they were returning back, Jean leaned over the bridge. He fell into the river. Luc Le Ganidec asked for help. Boatman took out his body.  Luc being nervous narrated the incidents in barracks.

Theme:

The theme of the story is incompatibility of friendship and romantic love. Betrayal of idyllic relationship is challenged which leads to destruction of life and friendship. The betrayal of love has devastating effect in characters life.   

Jack and Luc are good friends. They used to go together. They used to visit in countryside. They are in really friends. The line that presents about their friendship is They both answered together: "All right! How's everything with you? They replied together. Their reply presents their close relation. However, this relation does not last for long. In the same line, their relation has strong bond in the beginning. They did not have any conflict the time they met the girl. They discussed together to decide what to buy for her.  The narrator presents:

Luc was in favour of bringing her some chitterlings; but Jean, who had a sweet tooth, thought that candy would be the best thing. He won, and so they went to a grocery to buy two sous' worth, of red and white candies.

They have a good discussion between them what they need to buy for her. If they did not have good relation, they would not come into same stand point or idea. They agreed to buy her candies. However their relation does progress in the same pace. They slowly have splinters of relation as Luc started leaving barrack alone. The line of the text helps the reader think about their problems in the friendship. The line Jean, worried and racked his brain to account for his friend's having obtained leave presents the beginning line of splinters. Jean observes the changes in his behavior and suspected him. The writer writes:

When he started out with Jean on Sunday he seemed queer, disturbed, changed. Kerderen did not understand; he vaguely suspected something, but he could not guess what it might be.

The word suspect presents incompatibility of friendship. There is no any clear reason for Jean to suspect Luc. In a good friendship, there should not be doubt. He has observed the changes in his friends. He could have asked about it. Instead, he suspected him. Jean was ‘dazed’. Why Jean has to bewilder there? He should not be confused as she kissed his friend Luc. The narrator further writes, “The two little soldiers sat side by side, motionless as always, silent and quiet, their calm faces in no way betraying the trouble in their hearts.” They become motionless. Why do they need to be motionless? The word betraying presents incompatibility in the relation between them.

Jean commits suicide at the end of the story. It contributes the reader to guess inappropriate love by soldier the girl. Jean might have loved the girl inwardly. He has not expressed his love to the girl as well as his friend. As he sees his friend relation with the girl he considers it as a treachery of his friend. it can be taken as jealousy of friend in love affair.