# The Return of Alcibiade explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Kate Chopin.

## What happens

Fred Bartner, a young commission merchant from New Orleans, stops at the plantation of old Monsieur Jean Baptiste Plochel to repair his buggy. Monsieur Jean Ba, whose mind has failed in old age, mistakes Bartner for his son Alcibiade, who was killed in the war and never returned for Christmas dinner as promised. Bartner is persuaded by the old man's granddaughter, Esmée, to play along with the deception for the day. After a festive Christmas dinner, Bartner departs, having lost a day but gained a memorable experience.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sacrifice and Redemption

The theme of sacrifice is embodied in Alcibiade's death and the family's enduring hope, while the Christmas dinner deception offers a form of redemption for the old man's longing.

### Cultural and Historical Context

The chapter reflects the cultural landscape of post-war Louisiana, including the use of French language, the plantation system, and the lingering effects of the Civil War.

## Character check-ins

### Alcibiade

Monsieur Jean Ba's son, killed in the war, whose return is still hoped for by his father every Christmas.

### Fred Bartner

A young commission merchant from New Orleans who is mistaken for Alcibiade and agrees to play along for the day.

### Papa Konrad

Referred to as Monsieur Jean Baptiste Plochel, the old, senile father who waits for his son Alcibiade.

### Esmée

The granddaughter of Monsieur Jean Ba, who persuades Bartner to pretend to be Alcibiade for the Christmas dinner.

## Key lines

> “Ef you want,” said the negro boy who drove him, “we kin stop yonda at ole M’sié Jean Ba’s an’ fix it; he got de bes’ black-smif shop in de pa’ish on his place.”

The driver suggests stopping at old Monsieur Jean Ba's plantation, which has the best blacksmith shop in the parish.

_This introduces the setting and the reason for Bartner's stop._

> “Let him believe, jus’ for this one Christmas day, that you are his son. Let him have that Christmas dinner with Alcibiade, that he has been longing for so many year’.”

Esmée asks Bartner to pretend to be Alcibiade so her grandfather can have the Christmas dinner he has waited for.

_This is the central request that drives the chapter's plot._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/the-return-of-alcibiade
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters