Bed No. 29 (Maupassant): Difference between revisions

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Bed No. 29

Le Lit 29 · 1884

Summary of the Short Story

Microsummary: Officer had affair with woman. War came. She got disease from enemies and infected them back. He was disgusted. She accused him of cowardice before dying. His reputation was ruined among peers.

Short Summary

France, late 19th century. Captain Epivent, a handsome officer of hussars, was known for his conquests with women. He began a relationship with Irma, a beautiful young woman in Rouen.

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Captain Epivent — handsome officer of hussars, around 30-40 years old, bald with heavy blond mustache, thin waist, muscular chest and legs, proud and vain, known for his conquests with women.

When war broke out, Epivent left for the front. Upon his return, he learned Irma was in the hospital. He visited her, discovering she had contracted syphilis from Prussian soldiers during the occupation. Irma claimed she had deliberately infected the Prussians as an act of revenge.

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Irma — young woman, Captain Epivent's mistress, initially beautiful and fresh, later ill and emaciated in hospital, passionate and vengeful towards Prussians.

Epivent, disgusted and ashamed, tried to distance himself from Irma. However, she continued to write to him. On her deathbed, Irma confronted Epivent about his cowardice and boasted about her actions against the Prussians.

Ah, yes, you are a pretty poser! I know you well. I know you. And I tell you that I have done more harm than you — I — and that I have killed more than all your regiment together. Come now, you coward.

Overwhelmed by her accusations and the situation, Epivent fled the hospital. The next day, he learned of Irma's death. The story ended with Epivent's reputation tarnished among his fellow officers, who mocked him for his association with Irma.

Detailed Summary

Division of the summary into chapters is conditional.

The Dashing Captain and His Conquests

In Rouen, Captain Epivent was known for his striking appearance and numerous romantic conquests.

Captain Epivent passed in the street all the ladies turned to look at him. He was the true type of a handsome officer of hussars. He was always on parade, always strutted a little and seemed preoccupied and proud of his leg

The Romance with Irma

Among his conquests was the beautiful Irma, who was reportedly the mistress of a wealthy manufacturer named M. Templier-Papon.

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M. Templier-Papon — rich manufacturer, Irma's former lover.

Their affair became the talk of the town, and they openly displayed their relationship. When war was declared, their parting was dramatic and emotional. The captain went off to war, where he distinguished himself and earned the Cross of Honor.

The Tragic Discovery

Upon his return, the captain received a letter from Irma saying she was very ill in the hospital. When he visited, he discovered she was in the syphilis ward.

It was those beasts of Prussians. They took me almost by force and then poisoned me... I do not believe that I shall recover. The doctor says it is very serious.

Irma revealed that she had deliberately infected Prussian soldiers as an act of revenge. The captain, horrified and humiliated, especially after becoming the regiment's laughingstock, tried to distance himself from her.

No, the desire to avenge myself came to me when I should have broken away from it. And I poisoned them, too, all, all that I could. As long as there were any of them in Rouen, I had no thought for myself.

Despite her pleas, he avoided visiting her again until a chaplain informed him she was dying.

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Hospital Chaplain — religious figure at the hospital, sends a note to Captain Epivent about Irma's condition.

During their final confrontation, Irma proudly declared that she had killed more Prussians than the captain had in battle. Unable to bear her accusations, he fled from the hospital. The next day, he learned of her death.

He went away; in fact, he fled, stretching his long legs as he passed between the two rows of beds where the syphilitic patients were becoming excited. And he heard the gasping, stifled voice of Irma pursuing him

@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 == Detailed Summary ==
-''The division of the summary into chapters is conditional.''
+''Division of the summary into chapters is conditional.''
-=== Captain Epivent's Reputation and Lifestyle ===
+=== The Dashing Captain and His Conquests ===
-Captain Epivent was a handsome officer of hussars who attracted attention wherever he went.
+In Rouen, Captain Epivent was known for his striking appearance and numerous romantic conquests.
 {{Quote|
@@ Line 52: / Line 52: @@
 }}
-He was known for his conquests with women and his disdain for civilians. Captain Epivent held a particular scorn for the middle class and valued only handsome, imposing officers.
+=== The Romance with Irma ===
-{{Quote|
+Among his conquests was the beautiful Irma, who was reportedly the mistress of a wealthy manufacturer named M. Templier-Papon.
-He scorned everybody in general, with a difference in the degrees of his scorn. In the first place, for him the middle class did not exist. He looked at them as he would look at animals, without according them more of his attention
+{{Character
+| Name = M. Templier-Papon
+| Description = rich manufacturer, Irma's former lover
+| Emoji = 🧔
 }}
-=== The Affair with Irma ===
+Their affair became the talk of the town, and they openly displayed their relationship. When war was declared, their parting was dramatic and emotional. The captain went off to war, where he distinguished himself and earned the Cross of Honor.
-When Captain Epivent's regiment came to Rouen, he quickly became known in the town. He attracted the attention of Irma, a beautiful woman said to be the mistress of a rich manufacturer. They began a passionate affair that lasted for a year, openly displaying their relationship in public.
-When war was declared, Captain Epivent's regiment was sent to the front. The couple's farewell was emotional and dramatic. During the campaign, the captain conducted himself heroically and received the Cross of Honor.
-=== Return to Rouen and Discovery of Irma's Fate ===
+=== The Tragic Discovery ===
-Upon returning to Rouen after the war, Captain Epivent inquired about Irma but received no definite information. One day, he received a letter from her.
+Upon his return, the captain received a letter from Irma saying she was very ill in the hospital. When he visited, he discovered she was in the syphilis ward.
 {{Quote|
-My Dearie: I am in the hospital very ill, very ill. Will you not come and see me? It would give me so much pleasure! Irma.
+It was those beasts of Prussians. They took me almost by force and then poisoned me... I do not believe that I shall recover. The doctor says it is very serious.
 }}
-The captain visited Irma in the hospital, where he discovered she was in the syphilis ward. Irma explained her condition to him.
+Irma revealed that she had deliberately infected Prussian soldiers as an act of revenge. The captain, horrified and humiliated, especially after becoming the regiment's laughingstock, tried to distance himself from her.
 {{Quote|
-It was those beasts of Prussians. They took me almost by force and then poisoned me... I do not believe that I shall recover. The doctor says it is very serious.
+No, the desire to avenge myself came to me when I should have broken away from it. And I poisoned them, too, all, all that I could. As long as there were any of them in Rouen, I had no thought for myself.
 }}
-She then revealed her vengeful actions against the Prussians.
+Despite her pleas, he avoided visiting her again until a chaplain informed him she was dying.
-{{Quote|
+{{Character
-No, the desire to avenge myself came to me when I should have broken away from it. And I poisoned them, too, all, all that I could. As long as there were any of them in Rouen, I had no thought for myself.
+| Name = Hospital Chaplain
+| Description = religious figure at the hospital, sends a note to Captain Epivent about Irma's condition
+| Emoji = 👨‍🦳
 }}
-=== The Captain's Reaction and Aftermath ===
+During their final confrontation, Irma proudly declared that she had killed more Prussians than the captain had in battle. Unable to bear her accusations, he fled from the hospital. The next day, he learned of her death.
-Captain Epivent was shocked and disgusted by Irma's condition and her actions. He struggled to maintain his composure during the visit and left as quickly as he could.
 {{Quote|
 He went away; in fact, he fled, stretching his long legs as he passed between the two rows of beds where the syphilitic patients were becoming excited. And he heard the gasping, stifled voice of Irma pursuing him
 }}
-The next day, Captain Epivent learned that Irma had died. His regiment discovered the truth about his relationship with Irma, and he became the subject of jokes and ridicule. The captain was left to deal with the consequences of his affair and the stark reality of war's impact on those left behind.
 {{End of text}}