Free Essay On Alphonse Daudet: A Contrast Of Two Short Stories

Alphonse Daudet (1840-1897) was born in Provence, France. His childhood is described as being depressing. However, when he grew up he moved to Paris and began writing. There he published several short stories and novels. “The Child Spy” and “The Last Lesson” are two short stories that must reflect some of his difficulties as a child as well as his sense of nationalism. The stories relate the stories of two young boys who come of age too soon during the Franco Prussian War. Although the circumstances and the outcomes for each of the boys is different, they were both forced to grow up too soon.
Both stories feature strong paternal figures for the boys that are deeply affected by the war. Stenne in “The Child Spy” is the son of Father Stenne. His father is a loving man whom is described as, “They know that beneath that rough mustache, the terror of dogs and loiterers, lay concealed a kind, melting almost maternal smile, and that, in order to see that smile one had only ask the good man, ‘How’s your little boy?’” (“The Child Spy” 2-3). Stenne loves his father and sees the respect his father has in their community.
In “The Last Lesson”, the teacher in school takes on the paternal role for Frantz, the protagonist. Monsieur Hamel is a proud man and very committed to education. Frantz is late for school and afraid that he will receive the ruler on his hand for being late because Monsieur Hamel is strict. Frantz is too concerned with the discipline he encounters at school as opposed to the education he is receiving.
In both stories the paternal figures, Stenne’s father and Frantz’s teacher are affected negatively by the war. The boys see the fate of these men as somehow their fault. Stenne by meeting with the Prussians and Frantz by not appreciating his schooling more. Little Stenne is influenced by an older boy who is earning money by spying for the Prussians. Stenne accompanies him to make a few coins but is deeply ashamed when he returns home. His father discovers the money and Little Stenne confesses. The sin of the son prompts his father to join the army and fight against the Prussians. The father never returns home (“The Little Spy 57-62).
Frantz’s transgression is not appreciating his French education and his dedicated teacher enough. Now that the Prussians have taken over his town the students will no longer be instructed in their native French. Instead, they will be taught by a Prussian teacher and learning German. The news shocks and causes dismay for Frantz. He regrets not paying more attention and trying harder in school.
Both short stories express a hate of the Prussians. However the boys perceive the war in very different ways. Little Stenne sees the effects of the war: soldiers passing in the streets; the abandoned factories and the lines to get food. Frantz instead, has been largely unaffected by the war. He helps his family at home and goes to school every day. He is young and up until this point in his life he has taken his French identity for granted.
In both stories, the French boys learn difficult lessons that force them to mature too quickly, which is often the case in war. Stenne, faced much deeper and more serious consequences of the war and his temptation by the money to be a spy for the Prussians. Despite his realization and remorse, his father leaves him to go into battle against the Prussians. This act to atone for the sin of his son leads to his disappearance and death. Frantz’s consequences are not as tragic, but very important in regards to his lifestyle and national pride. With the Prussians taking charge of his town, French will no longer be taught, instead the children will be forced to assimilate into Prussian society through a Prussian education.

Works Cited

“Alphonse Daudet.” Art Directory, n.d. Web 12 Apr. 2015
http://www.alphonse-daudet.com/
Alphonse Daudet. Five Short Stories: Harvard Classics Shelf of Fiction, Volume XIII Part 4.
New York: P.F. Collier and Son, 1917.