Lavigne and the French soldiers
They symbolize France’s war efforts. Maupassant uses satire to point out their flaws.
Like other French peasants, they dislike the Prussians.
They are far from noble, making fun of and being cruel to even the members of their own militia.
Lavigne and the other French soldiers take credit for capturing the soldiers, but they only captured the soldiers in an ironic, humorous manner, while Berthine is the true hero.
“‘Now we’ll give these German gentlemen something to drink.’ A shout of frenzied admiration, mingled with uproarious laughter, burst from his followers. And the commandant organized relays of men, who were to relieve one another every five minutes. Then he commanded: ‘Pump!!!’”
“He had accomplished about two-thirds of his journey when a long, crimson flame shot forth from the vent-hole. A loud report followed, and the fat baker fell face forward to the ground, uttering a frightful scream. No one went to his assistance. Then he was seen to drag himself, groaning, on all-fours through the snow until he was beyond danger, when he fainted. He was shot in the upper part of the thigh. After the first surprise and fright were over they laughed at him again.”
“Monsieur Lavigne was decorated as a reward for having captured a Prussian advance guard, and the fat baker received the military medal for wounds received at the hands of the enemy.”
