Lay Down Your Arms · Chapter
Chapter XVII explained
As the Franco-Prussian War looms, Martha and Frederick observe the political tensions from Paris, where they are building a house.
What happens
As the Franco-Prussian War looms, Martha and Frederick observe the political tensions from Paris, where they are building a house. Martha records her horror at the war rhetoric, quoting Guy de Maupassant and Gustave Flaubert, and reflects on the hollow justifications for war, the manipulation of public sentiment, and the tragic inevitability of conflict. She also recounts a story about Emile Ollivier and Meyerbeer's daughter, speculating how a different marriage might have prevented the war.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Nationalism and Propaganda
Martha condemns the hollow rhetoric of war manifestoes and the manipulation of public enthusiasm, quoting Maupassant and Flaubert to expose the absurdity of nationalist fervor.
Peace and International Arbitration
Martha and Frederick express a longing for peace and rationality, with Frederick hoping that humanity will become reasonable within 500 years, and Martha quoting Maupassant's call for governments to be tried for declaring war.
Horrors of War
Martha's anxiety and the quoted descriptions of war as 'abominable, against nature' and 'barbarity' highlight the devastating human cost of conflict.
Characters to notice
- Martha Tilling
Narrator and observer of the pre-war atmosphere in Paris; records her anxiety and reflections on war.
- Frederick Tilling
Martha's husband; interested in the judgments of literary figures during the war's onset.
- Guy de Maupassant
Quoted for his anti-war sentiments; his words are entered in Martha's red volumes.
- Gustave Flaubert
Letter to George Sand expressing despair over the war; quoted by Martha.
- Emile Ollivier
French statesman; subject of a story about a potential marriage to Meyerbeer's daughter that might have averted war.
- Alexander Weill
Literary acquaintance who told the story about Ollivier and Meyerbeer's daughter.
- Napoleon III
Emperor of France; noted as wishing for peace but influenced by his entourage.
- King William
King of Prussia; issues a manifesto and leaves Berlin for the army.
Key passages
“Nous aurons la guerre—nous aurons la guerre”
We will have war—we will have war
Martha recalls the phrase resounding in Paris as war approached.
“Quand je songe seulement à ce mot 'la guerre' il me vient un effarement, comme si l'on me parlait de sorcellerie, d'inquisition, d'une chose lontaine, finie, abominable, contre nature.”
When I merely think of the word 'war,' a horror comes over me, as if one spoke of sorcery, of the Inquisition, of something distant, finished, abominable, against nature.
Guy de Maupassant's words, recorded by Martha, expressing his visceral revulsion at the concept of war.
“If Ollivier had married Meyerbeer's daughter would the war have broken out?”
Would the war have broken out if Ollivier had married Meyerbeer's daughter?
Martha's speculative question, based on a story from Alexander Weill, suggesting a personal contingency that might have prevented the conflict.
“C'est ma guerre à moi et à mon fils”
It is my war and my son's war
Attributed to Empress Eugénie, indicating her personal stake in the war to secure her son's succession.
