Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 404 Superficiality is the highest form of evil! (Bonus chapter for October monthly votes: 10 chapters)

After saying this, Lionel turned around, tilted his head slightly, and looked up at the tricolor flag fluttering above the dome of the Palace of Justice.

All eyes were on that spot.

His voice was filled with sorrow: "I confess my sins to France—to the flag of this country, and to the ideals of 'liberty, equality, fraternity' that it symbolizes!"

The crowd fell completely silent, and everyone who heard those words felt the heavy emotion contained within them.

"Because we hold this banner high, claiming it represents humanity's noblest aspirations. But what is the reality?"

Lionel's voice suddenly rose: "The reality is—"

While we sing praises of "universal love" at home, we are practicing "enslavement" overseas!
While we preached 'equality' on the streets of Paris, we established a rigid system of 'discrimination' in the colonies!
We keep talking about bringing 'freedom' to the world, but our methods are the most barbaric 'conquest'!

He took a small step forward abruptly, leaning slightly forward, as if he wanted his words to strike the hearts of his audience like javelins.

Lionel's gaze swept across the room: "I have a question for everyone here, for all the self-proclaimed civilized French!"
When the Germans seized Alsace-Lorraine from us through war! When countless soldiers and civilians fell under the guns of the Germans—

That is a pain and humiliation that our entire nation can never forget! We all condemn the brutality and barbarity of the Germans!

We believe this is the darkest chapter in the history of civilized world! Isn't that so?

His words stirred up unhealed wounds in the hearts of many present, and sighs of empathy and whispers of anger rang out from the crowd.

The crushing defeat and territorial loss of 1870 remain a thorn in the side of every Frenchman.

Lionel's voice was now filled with a sharp, questioning tone: "But! Tell me, when the same things—war, conquest, plunder, slaughter—..."

—When it happened in Tunisia, in Vietnam, in those colonial countries far less developed than us—

Why did so many of us take to the streets to cheer, believing it to be 'the glory of France'?
Why can our politicians so grandly declare that this is fulfilling the 'obligations of a superior race,' and bringing 'civilization' to an ignorant people?

The huge difference was like a heavy hammer blow to everyone's heart.

Many people who were just moments ago indignant about Arthas-Lorraine now wore expressions of bewilderment and contemplation.

"If! If we accept that the success or failure of a war, and the strength of military power, can be the sole criterion for measuring whether something is 'civilized' or not!"

So, following this logic—"

Lionel deliberately drew out his words, making each one sound as if it were being squeezed out from between his teeth:

"Did Germany, and even Russia, which defeated us, also lead France from 'barbarism' and 'backwardness' to 'civilization'?"

An old soldier in a worn-out uniform couldn't help but blurt out, "Absurd!"

His face was filled with insulted anger.

A gentleman also exclaimed in disbelief, "How can these be the same!"

They were all standing close to Lionel, so their voices carried clearly up the steps.

Lionel immediately seized on this reaction: "Yes! Ridiculous!"

His voice was like a trumpet of judgment: "You will think this is utterly absurd! Absolutely impossible to admit! Then tell me..."
Why is it that when France does the same thing to weaker nations, it is not considered absurd, but rather 'honor' and 'civilization'?

He glanced down at the flushed faces and flickering eyes, pausing for a dozen seconds to give them time to process their emotions.

Then Lionel spoke again, this time in a more stern tone: "This can no longer be described simply as 'hypocrisy'!"
This is a kind of 'superficiality' that runs deep! A kind of 'superficiality' that refuses to think, refuses to reflect, and only follows the tide of power and emotions!
In my view, this collective, unconscious 'superficiality' is the highest level of evil!

Because it allows evil to parade in fine clothes and injustice to wear laurels and receive cheers!

Among the crowd, some intellectuals with a conscience and true republicans nodded slowly, their faces showing expressions of shame and agreement.

Zola loosened his grip on his cane slightly, gazing at Lionel with a complex expression, a mixture of worry and relief.

Maupassant was completely absorbed in these words, forgetting everything around him, silently repeating to himself: "Superficiality is the highest form of evil..."

Lionel's voice lowered: "In such a 'superficial' country, any untimely thought is a sin in itself."

I confess, I've thought about it, I've revealed it, and I've violated this 'superficial' taboo! This is my second sin!

Lionel looked at the dense crowd in the square; the vast majority of them were there to support him.

His eyes became complex, showing pity, detachment, and exhaustion.

“Finally, I want to confess my sins to you—to everyone standing here.” Upon hearing this, the supporters’ faces were once again filled with astonishment and confusion.

"Please...we confess?"

"What does he mean?"

Lionel looked at them and said slowly, "I plead guilty because I, Lionel Sorel, have unknowingly become part of 'superficiality' as well."

And you, my dear supporters, your seemingly surging enthusiasm is also being carefully guided and is being exploited.

And that's what 'superficiality' looks like!

These words were like a dagger, piercing the hearts of many. Some showed anger on their faces, feeling betrayed.

Lionel's voice calmed down:
“Look at yourselves, many of you do not truly understand why I oppose colonialism and why I am standing in the dock.”

You are simply angered by the fact that 'Lional will be on trial and France will lose face,' and you think 'I am on Lionel's side, so I am right.'

Your eagerness to welcome my return with a grand ceremony and treat me like a hero seems to elevate this kind of 'justice'.

When news of victory came from the battlefields of the colonies, you loved France; when defeat after defeat came, you embraced me again.

It's as if as long as I return to Paris, everything from the past can be wiped clean—isn't that how everyone forgets their scars before?

His words were sharp and biting, making many people uncomfortable, yet they could not immediately refute them.

“These past few days, I’ve heard too many slogans—in London, in Dover, in Jersey, in Calais, and just now in Paris, and here…”

Your welcoming and surrounding of me reminds me of the scene when Mr. Victor Hugo returned to Paris, and of course, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

You greeted Hugo like a hero, Napoleon like a savior, as if holding a grand mass where all sins could be redeemed.

Then, after welcoming Hugo, they began massacring the communes; after welcoming the emperor, they were defeated again.

The square was completely silent; many people even held their breath.

Lionel's words, like waves, were transmitted layer by layer to the edge of the crowd, and the Parisians present fell silent.

Lionel's voice began to carry a deep sadness: "Time and time again, we unknowingly lose the ability to make independent judgments."

Any effort to find the real reasons behind this judicial farce, any exploration of colonialism, any critique of social injustice...

All of this has already been cut off and dissolved in your simple choice of sides and the slogans that have been repeated countless times.

When Hugo returned to Paris, France remained just as 'superficial'; when the emperor returned to Paris, France remained just as 'superficial'.

Compared to them, I am just an insignificant nobody. If I return to Paris, will France change?

This time, he paused for a long time, as if pressing a heavy stone on the hearts of every listener.

"And evil, once it no longer needs to be seen or spoken of, gains a natural cloak of invisibility."

It can then continue to grow unchecked under the cover of cheers and slogans.

And I, and this trial, became a piece of cloth on that invisibility cloak.

Lionel gazed deeply at the silent crowd below and made his final statement:

"Therefore, I confess my sins to all of you. Because of me, this 'superficial' revelry has come to be; because of me, your passions have become tools."

I'm guilty!
"Don't bother shouting for me outside the courthouse; go find things that truly deserve your passion."

After saying that, Lionel didn't linger.

He glanced deeply at his relatives and friends below the steps, each with their own distinct expressions, then resolutely turned around and stepped onto the last step.

His back was straight and lonely as he walked step by step into the archway of the Palace of Justice, then was swallowed by a shadow and disappeared from everyone's sight.

------

In a small room to the side of the Palace of Justice's main gate, several pairs of eyes were watching everything closely, and every word Lionel said reached their ears.

As Lionel turned and walked into the Palace of Justice, one of them cursed, "Damn it, hurry up and inform Bernard, the situation has changed!"

(End of this chapter)