This story by Guy de Maupassant depicts in a terribly vivid way the extreme cruelty which humans are able to display, especially when it comes together with a great deal of hypocrisy and a feeling of moral superiority.
The characters in this story regard themselves as legitimate in every possible way; respectable and behaving according to the moral codes of their society and social class.
So righteous they think they are that they can look down on Boule de Suif without the slightest feeling of pity or understanding. Being a courtesan as she is, all she deserves is criticism and contempt; “for legitimised love always despises its easygoing brother”.
The faults of the other passengers in the carriage can be concealed by their social position. It does not matter that Loiseau is a rascal who has made a fortune through cheating; it does not matter that Madame Carre-Lamadon has a most peculiar inclination for young and handsome soldiers; it is not important whether Comte de Breville married an unknown woman in mysterious circumstances. It is not even important that they are all fleeing from Rouen merely because the situation is not convenient for their economic welfare. What is essential for these hypocrites is that they are right to people’s eyes, while Boule de Suif is not. She may be an ardent patriot; she is the only one escaping to save her life after demonstrating her indignation, but still, only a courtesan, which degrades her to an object status.
The way in which everybody treats Boule the Suif as an object is evident from the beginning of the journey and is continued during the whole story. They avoid talking to her during the first part of the trip, but when they are all starving, and she offers them her food, they accept more than willingly, and seem to be polite to her. Yet, when they see that they will not leave the inn unless the girl consents in surrendering to the Prussian, the idea of her as “common property” goes back to their minds. Without any consideration to her feelings and wishes, everybody plots against her, thinking that, after all, she has no right to refuse. They lie openly, and assure her that she has in her hands the possibility of saving them, something they would be forever grateful for. And then is when human cruelty is fully shown. As they leave, everybody returns to their original attitude, selfishness, scorn and contempt, making very clear that Boule the Suif should feel ashamed for what she considered was a sacrifice.This blatant hypocrisy is too much for her to bear, so she weeps. But however indignant and furious she may feel, it will not affect the rest. They have lived so far behind their masks of morality and righteousness, and they will wear them for ever.
The characters in this story regard themselves as legitimate in every possible way; respectable and behaving according to the moral codes of their society and social class.
So righteous they think they are that they can look down on Boule de Suif without the slightest feeling of pity or understanding. Being a courtesan as she is, all she deserves is criticism and contempt; “for legitimised love always despises its easygoing brother”.
The faults of the other passengers in the carriage can be concealed by their social position. It does not matter that Loiseau is a rascal who has made a fortune through cheating; it does not matter that Madame Carre-Lamadon has a most peculiar inclination for young and handsome soldiers; it is not important whether Comte de Breville married an unknown woman in mysterious circumstances. It is not even important that they are all fleeing from Rouen merely because the situation is not convenient for their economic welfare. What is essential for these hypocrites is that they are right to people’s eyes, while Boule de Suif is not. She may be an ardent patriot; she is the only one escaping to save her life after demonstrating her indignation, but still, only a courtesan, which degrades her to an object status.
The way in which everybody treats Boule the Suif as an object is evident from the beginning of the journey and is continued during the whole story. They avoid talking to her during the first part of the trip, but when they are all starving, and she offers them her food, they accept more than willingly, and seem to be polite to her. Yet, when they see that they will not leave the inn unless the girl consents in surrendering to the Prussian, the idea of her as “common property” goes back to their minds. Without any consideration to her feelings and wishes, everybody plots against her, thinking that, after all, she has no right to refuse. They lie openly, and assure her that she has in her hands the possibility of saving them, something they would be forever grateful for. And then is when human cruelty is fully shown. As they leave, everybody returns to their original attitude, selfishness, scorn and contempt, making very clear that Boule the Suif should feel ashamed for what she considered was a sacrifice.This blatant hypocrisy is too much for her to bear, so she weeps. But however indignant and furious she may feel, it will not affect the rest. They have lived so far behind their masks of morality and righteousness, and they will wear them for ever.
excellent!
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