# The Marseillaise explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Leonid Andreyev.

## What happens

A narrator recounts the story of a pathetic, tearful exile who is mocked by both authorities and fellow prisoners for his weakness and innocence. Despite his cowardice, he joins a hunger strike and dies of starvation typhus. In his final moments, he asks his comrades to sing the Marseillaise over his coffin, transforming from a nonentity into a hero as they defiantly sing the hymn of freedom under the threat of rifles and bayonets.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Injustice

The exile's innocent suffering and mockery by authorities and comrades highlight the arbitrary cruelty of the system and the dehumanization of prisoners.

### Freedom and Imprisonment

The prisoners' hunger strike and final singing of the Marseillaise represent a quest for freedom and dignity even in the face of physical imprisonment and death.

### Death and Mortality

The exile's death from starvation typhus and the transformation of his legacy through the singing of the Marseillaise explore the meaning of mortality and heroism.

## Character check-ins

### The Girl

The narrator describes the weeping exile as a nonentity with the spirit of a rabbit and beast of burden, contrasting his tears with those of other men.

## Key lines

> When I die, sing over me the Marseillaise!

The dying exile requests that his comrades sing the French revolutionary anthem at his funeral.

_This moment transforms the despised weakling into a symbol of heroic defiance._

> Cursed be the weak heart of man, he tore our hearts into shreds by this call: dear France.

The narrator curses human vulnerability as the exile's longing for his homeland deeply moves the hardened prisoners.

_The emotional impact of the exile's patriotism breaks through the comrades' stoic facade._

> And forever he became our guerdon—that nonentity with the body of a rabbit and of a beast of burden and with the great spirit of Man.

The formerly pathetic exile becomes an eternal prize and inspiration for his comrades, revealing a noble spirit beneath his cowardly exterior.

_The narrator elevates the exile to heroic status after his death and final request._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/the-marseillaise
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_34_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters