Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 131 The Night of "Boule de Suif"!
The following evening, after dinner, Lionel, Maupassant, and the others did not go to the small island in the middle of the river, but instead gathered in the study on the top floor of Mr. Zola's villa in Médan.

Besides a huge oak desk, the most eye-catching feature here is the stone fireplace, which cost 1200 francs to build.

On the wall above the fireplace is engraved Zola's motto: "Not a day goes by without writing a line."

Upon seeing this line, Lionel gave Mr. Zola a thumbs up: "Emile, your diligence puts me to shame!"
I really hope that one day I can have these words engraved on my fireplace…

Although it was unclear why Lionel paid particular attention to this motto, Zola still smiled smugly.

Once everyone was seated, raised their glasses, and lit cigars or cigarettes, several pairs of eyes were focused on Maupassant.

It was his turn to tell a story.

Maupassant put his wine glass aside, stood up, walked to the center of the study, and began in a deeply emotional tone: "Friends, Emile's story is tragic and profound."

My story, however, is somewhat different. Its protagonist is a prostitute, a plump, greasy prostitute…”

As soon as Maupassant finished speaking, Zola and Huysmann showed expressions of "I knew it" and grinned mischievously.

Henri Céar even offered encouragement: "Guy, this is what you do best—I'm even more excited for this story now."

Lionel smiled silently, gently swirling the wine in his glass, quietly awaiting the birth of a world-renowned masterpiece.

Although Maupassant blushed slightly, he quickly regained his composure and continued his story, his tone shifting between lighthearted irony and somber repression:

"...Rouen has fallen. The city reeks of defeat and fear. A public carriage, permitted to leave the occupied territory for Le Havre, becomes the ark of hope for ten people to escape hell."

"The passengers on the carriage included the wine wholesaler 'Bird' and his wife, the wealthy merchant Monsieur Gallé Ramadon and his wife, the Count and Countess Lubert de Balévie, the Democrat Gernori, two nuns..."

From any perspective, they are among the most respectable people in the area.

As Maupassant narrates, a small society within a train carriage is vividly depicted.

These people included the mainstream of what was then called the "upper class" in France—wealthy merchants, nobles, politicians, and priests (nuns).

Maupassant's tone suddenly rose: "But a prostitute, a prostitute who had become prematurely overweight, so fat she was practically dripping with oil, even her fingers were quite plump, was also in this carriage, sitting right next to Gernot..."

Maupassant described the prostitute's appearance in detail, from her "full breasts that seemed to burst out of her dress" and "her face, like a red apple or a blooming peony," to her "large, beautiful, dark eyes" and "small, charming mouth," before finally revealing her nickname: "Boule de Suif!"

Yusman, who was listening nearby, was practically drooling with envy. He carelessly interrupted his friend's narration and asked curiously, "Where did you meet this beautiful and charming girl...? I've never seen her before."

Maupassant gave him a disapproving look: "I made it up... Alright, I'll continue."

What follows is a highly contrasting and ironic passage from "Boule de Suif"—

The gentlemen and their wives in the carriage, as well as the two nuns, all expressed their contempt for "Boule de Suif";

But when they were starving, and "Boule de Suif" pulled out a basket of abundant food from under her skirt and generously invited them to dine with her, these sanctimonious "decent people" seemed to forget their previous posture and began to eat heartily without any guilt, finishing the entire basket of food.

In Maupassant's vivid depiction, the simplicity and kindness of "Boule de Suif" and the hypocrisy and shamelessness of the "decent man" are portrayed to the fullest extent in this narrative.

However, this is clearly not enough to reveal the ugly side of the French "upper class".

Maupassant continued his narration, but his tone turned cold: "...However, the carriage was detained in the town of Tot by an arrogant Prussian officer."

The reason? Simple, and shameless—he had his eye on Boule de Suif and implied that she had to 'keep him company' for the night, otherwise no one on the bus would be allowed to leave.

To everyone's surprise—including the "respectable people" in the story and most of the people listening to the story in the study—"Boule de Suif" angrily refused. Although she was of lowly status, she also had her dignity and patriotism.

The initial "righteous indignation" of the respectable people was quickly replaced by anxiety.

Delays in the trip mean financial losses and risks! One day, two days... the relentless persuasion began.

First, the shrewd Mrs. Bird lobbied with the national righteousness of "sacrificing the individual";

Then the Countess spoke from her own experience, implying that chastity was insignificant in the face of "noble purposes";
Even the two nuns brought up the story of Rahab, the prostitute, from the Bible, implying that "sacrifice" for the benefit of "everyone" would be forgiven by God... Maupassant's tone turned somber, filled with anger: "'Boule de Suif' was isolated and helpless; her anger and persistence crumbled under the combined 'persuasion' of the crowd. She succumbed, for the sake of these 'respectable people'."

The next day, the carriage was finally allowed to pass. The 'respectable people' breathed a sigh of relief and were beaming with joy. They took out their treasured food and feasted in the carriage, chatting and laughing as if nothing had happened the night before.

No one glanced at 'Boule de Suif,' no one gave her even a small piece of bread. She huddled in the corner, cold and hungry, tears of humiliation silently streaming down her face.

Like Zola yesterday, Maupassant added an even more ironic ending to this story—

Grenoble hummed "La Marseillaise"—

'A sacred love for the motherland,'

Please support and guide our hands of vengeance.
Freedom, dear freedom,

Fight alongside your defenders...

The other passengers joined in the humming.

Boule de Suif was constantly crying, and sometimes, between two verses, a soft sob could be heard.

The story abruptly ended, and the study fell into a deathly silence.

There was no applause, only heavy breathing and the sound of the Seine flowing outside the window.

Maupassant's story brings not tragedy, but a chilling coldness.

It exposes the selfishness, hypocrisy, and cold-bloodedness of the "decent people" in France, especially their blatant exploitation of the weak and their ugly sense of moral superiority.

After a long while, Zola finally let out a long sigh: "Guy... this story... is like a dagger piercing my heart."

It has no heroes, only reality… a heartbreaking and infuriating reality. Exceptional! Well done! Your story is far more compelling than mine!

Paul Alexi murmured, “God...the faces of those people...it was so terrible, so real!”

For a moment, Huysman forgot to ask where he could find this prostitute, and instead fell into deep shock and contemplation.

Lionel was also savoring the experience—although he had read "Boule de Suif" many, many times, Maupassant's dictation was much simpler than the final written version, but it was far more moving than reading the text!
He was somewhat glad that he had left this story to Maupassant, because only in his words could it be brought to life so movingly.

Lionel couldn't help but praise Maupassant: "Guy, you haven't wasted your money on those pretty girls! You'll earn it back a hundredfold, a thousandfold, thanks to this story!"

Maupassant was bewildered. Was Lionel praising him or being sarcastic?

But it didn't matter. He said gratefully, "Leon, without you, there would be no story of 'Boule de Suif'..."

Zola glanced at the two of them with interest: "Oh? Guy's story was inspired by you? Lionel, then you can provide the story for tomorrow night!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

When Lionel returned to 64 Lafitte Street, it was almost midnight.

Under the dim streetlights, a young man stood at the entrance of the apartment building, arguing with the security guard.

Upon seeing Lionel, the doorman quickly said, "Mr. Sorel, you've come at the right time! This homeless man insists on coming upstairs to see you!"

Upon hearing the name "Mr. Sorel," the young man turned around excitedly. When he saw Lionel's face clearly, he spoke in a trembling voice: "Mr. Lionel Sorel? God, I've finally found you!"

I came from Russia, from Moscow, for a full two weeks, just to see you…

(Three chapters completed for today; bonus chapter tomorrow for every 1000 votes)

(End of this chapter)