Maupassant’s Boule de Suif is set in late 19th century France during the Franco-Prussian war and focusses on the journey of ten very different characters travelling from Rouen to Le Havre. The short story illustrates to us the long journey of the ten passengers by stagecoach and the tensions which arise between such contrasting characters. Through the use of a third person omniscient narrator, Maupassant introduces to us the main character of Boule de Suif and the nine other passengers sharing the carriage with her. The ten are all unique and are divided in terms of social class and political views. We have in the extract under examination, the scene in which Boule de Suif begins to form a bond with the others by sharing her food with them. Maupassant’s creation of the interesting character Boule de Suif and her relationships with the other characters is done through his use of effective techniques such as imagery, symbolism and tone. These techniques support the key themes of equality, fraternity and betrayal which are present in the short story. Throughout the short story but specifically during this extract, Boule de Suif is described as a very desirable person. Maupassant’s …show more content…
Maupassant’s effective use of techniques such as foreshadowing, imagery, and symbolism helps to create for us the character of Boule de Suif and supports the short story’s key themes of equality, fraternity but most of all betrayal. Boule de Suif’s desirableness, the difference in social class between her and the other characters, her patriotism and the foreshadowing of her betrayal in the end are all key points in this extract built up by Maupassant’s successful use of stylistic and thematic