I』m reading a book named Suet ball, which was written by Maupassant, one of the greatest critical realist writers in the world.
He created hundreds of short stories and six novels during his short
lifetime. As we all know, he is famous for his short stories, especially the story Suet ball which won him great reputation around the world.
Suet ball was based on a true story happened at the war between French and Prussia. This novel tells the sad story of a harlot called suet ball. With several noble French on the carriage, she was on the way leaving her city for her at the point of killing a Prussia soldier.
Though she was looked down by these people, she was selfless to share her food with them. Unfortunately, they were detained by a Prussia officer. The officer didn』t let them go unless suet ball agree to sleep with him for one night. At first, she was determined to refuse his unreasonable request. However, these noble people were so selfish that they instigated her to say yes to him, thoroughly giving up their patriotism. So this kind-hearted girl took their advice, selling her body to get in their freedom in return. To our surprise, when the pitiful girl needed food and drink after the torment, nobody among them gave a hand to her and they even ruthlessly condemned her 「shameful」 conduct. Suet ball had no choice but to hug herself tightly, sobbing.
There is no doubt that these so-called nobles were selfish and greedy, for they only cared about themselves and wealth. When something or somebody is useless, they will abandon them without hesitation, such as suet ball. On the contrast, suet ball, one of the lower class, behaved like a real noble person. She not only gave food to these ugly people but also sell her body for their freedom. The most important thing was that she refused to sleep with the enemy because she regarded it as a betrayal to her motherland. She kept her conscience all the time while others had lost it in cruel wars. She was born in slush but her heart was pure.
In my opinion, these people were lousy, and the two nuns were disgusting. Since they were the symbol of God, they should treat everyone equally. Nevertheless, when suet ball was in need of help, they just hid themselves and looked on her coldly. Although a few days ago they also took in her tasty food and fragrant wine. They had totally abandoned their duty and opened the door to help others who were in straits.
We can see from the story that everyone is stark-naked in front of wars. Don』t judge one person by his or her appearance or position. Cruel wars will strip all the external stuffs. Those so-called noble people were actually mean. However, suet ball, a harlot, showed her patriotism and remained faithful and unyielding.
I think the author wanted to sing the praises of the courage to resist the enemies and the emotion of patriotism through the character-suet ball. And because of his successful describe, suet ball has become an well-known symbol for her faith and patriotism.
In conclusion, this short story is worth reading nowadays, because we will learn to be brave and perseverance.