A Piece of Bread (Francois Coppee) | Summary and Notes

Characters involved:

Duke Henri de Hardimont

Jean-Victor

>Hardimont learnt the news that France had lost a battle at Reichshoffen.

>He enlist himself in the regiment which protected the Cannon of Fort Bicetre.

>Jean-Victor tried different works like chair mender, with masons, shop boy, floor polisher; at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the army. 

>The piece of bread is pivotal to the story. It is the piece of bread which brought them together defying social barriers or class. 

>Jean-Victor sacrificed his life for his friend -Hardimont. 

Questions and answers

A Piece of Bread

Francois Coppee

Exercise A

1)     Why did the duke return to Paris?

Ans: The duke returned to Paris after he learnt that France had lost the battle on their own soil at Reichshoffen. He ordered his valet to pack his trunks, and two hours later took the express to Paris.

2)     Describe the place the young duke went to.

Ans: It was a gloomy place. The winter sky with heavy leaden clouds looked angry and hateful. The road was planted with clusters of broom and broken up into muddy tracks. The roof of the tavern was torn by a shell and the wall appeared to be whitewashed with blood.

3)     What was the duke’s state of mind as he stood at the door of the tavern?

Ans: The duke was still overcome with sorrow because of the disastrous news. He stood at the door of the tavern motionless with his benumbed hands in his pocket.

4)     What thoughts crossed the duke’s mind while having the hard bread?

Ans: The bread was hard and bitter as he took a bite. Being enlisted in the army, no fresh bread was available until the next morning’s distribution. He started to think about the good and hygienic breakfasts which were available when he was at home.

5)     What happened when the duke threw away the rest of the bread into the mud?

Ans: When the duke threw away the rest of the bread into the mud, at that same moment a soldier of the line came from the tavern, stooped and picked up the bread, wiped it with his sleeve and began to devour it eagerly.

6)     Describe the appearance of the hungry soldier.

Ans: Jean-Victor was a tall, large young fellow but badly made; with feverish eyes and a hospital beard. He was so thin that his shoulder blades stood out beneath his well-worn cape.

7)     Why did the soldier find his dismissal ‘worse?’

Ans: Jean-Victor was sent to the infirmary after he was wounded where he was well looked after. But the major signed his dismissal since it was only a scratch and from thereon, his life of being devoured by hunger commenced again. 

8)     Whom does the soldier remember fondly from his childhood days and why?

Ans: The soldier remembered the kind sister fondly, who so often told him to be honest in his life. He was the favourite of the good sister and would often lay her warm hand upon his forehead.

9)     Why did Jean-Victor decide to take the duke’s duty?

Ans: Jean-Victor decided to take the duke’s duty since the duke was sleeping so soundly and he did not want the duke to be disturbed. Jean-Victor was still touched by the kindness of his comrade.

10) What end did Jean-Victor meet?

Ans: As pitiful as his life was, Jean-Victor met a tragic end. He was shot through the head with a bullet and died without a word. 

11) Why do you think the duke’s voice ‘trembled slightly’ while talking to Monsieur de Saulness?

Ans: The duke’s voice trembled slightly while talking to Monsieur de Saulness because he was still overcome with emotion as he remembered his poor friend Jean-Victor who was shot through the head and died without a word.

Exercise B

Think and answer

1)     What do you think of the duke? Write his character sketch expressing your views.

Ans: The story ‘A Piece of Bread’ is written by a French poet, novelist and dramatist Francois Coppee. In this story, Coppee focuses on expression of emotions, patriotism and a feeling of pity for the poor.

Duke de Hardimont was a patriotic and a kind-hearted person. After he got the news that the French had lost the battle against the Prussians at Reichshoffen, he experienced a terrible feeling of suffocation and he felt the blood mount to his face. He also enlisted himself in the army to protect his country.

Hardimont also showed his sympathy and love towards his comrade Jean-Victor. Being a member of a high social class, Hardimont was unaware of the struggle and pain of the poor people. It made him realise when he threw the bread away and a fellow soldier picked up the dirty bread started devouring it. He reproached himself when he realised that his action was thoughtless.

Hardimont also cherished and valued the short span of friendship he had with Jean-Victor. He did not forget his poor comrade who died as a faithful friend. The story concludes with Hardimont’s touching moment for his friend where he picked up the bread, wiped it carefully with his handkerchief and placed it on a bench under the gaslight.

2)     What kind of a person was Jean-Victor? What does his act of volunteering in place of the duke tell you about him?

Ans: The story ‘A Piece of Bread’ is written by a French poet, novelist and dramatist Francois Coppee. In this story, Coppee focuses on expression of emotions, patriotism and a feeling of pity for the poor.

Jean-Victor was a foundling who struggled all throughout his life and died a tragic death. He was brought up at the asylum devoid of love and comfort except for the good and kind hearted sister who often told him to be honest.

After he turned twelve, there was nothing but poverty and he started to live a life of misery and hardship. He was always terribly hungry and to satisfy his hunger he tried various works but unfortunately his hunger was never satisfied. He also worked as an apprentice with a chair mender for three years in a continual fit of hunger. 

3)     ‘A Piece of Bread’ is the story of the bond between a duke and a soldier. Justify the title.

Ans: The story ‘A Piece of Bread’ is written by a French poet, novelist and dramatist Francois Coppee. In this story, Coppee focuses on expression of emotions, patriotism and a feeling of pity for the poor.

The dirty piece of bread which Duke de Hardimont threw away in a moment of impatience plays a vital role in the development of the bond between Hardimont and Jean-Victor. The story revolves around the piece of bread and the major characters are all involved in it.

The piece of bread also lays bare the contrasting circumstances of the two characters. Jean-Victor was a foundling who struggled all throughout his life and died a tragic death. He was brought up at the asylum devoid of love and comfort except for the good and kind hearted sister who often told him to be honest. On the other hand, Hardimont was from a high social class and had the means to enjoy a luxurious life. Yet, the piece of bread brought them together and we learn of their faithfulness and true friendship toward each other.

Exercise E

Think and discuss

1)     What would have happened if Jean-Victor had woken up the duke and reminded him to attend the call of duty? Do you think the end would have been different?

Ans: 1. Give a brief introduction

2. Personal viewpoint is mandatory. Give your views and support your                       views with examples from the story you have learnt.

3. If you think the story would have different, give a valid and well explained reason.

4. Do no write in fragmented sentences.  Write in full-fledged sentences.

2)     To be discussed in the class.

Extra questions

1)     ‘Do not laugh my friend, it offends me.’ Who is the speaker? Why does he say so?

Ans: The speaker is Henri de Hardimont. 

    He says so because he was not happy with his companion after his companion laughed at him for picking up the dirty bread and cleaning it with his handkerchief.

2)     Why did Hardimont feel a horrible feeling of suffocation?

Ans: Hardimont felt a terrible feeling of suffocation because he could not come to terms with the fact that France had lost the battle at Reichshoffen.

3)     Describe the condition of the tavern.

Ans: On the border stood the abandoned tavern with shelter where the soldiers had established their post. The roof was torn apart by a shell and the wall seemed whitewashed with blood.

4)     Compare and contrast the life of Hardimont and Jean-Victor.

Ans: To be discussed in the class

5)     ‘I have been hungry all my life.’ Who is the speaker here?

Ans: Jean-Victor is the speaker here from the story ‘A Piece of Bread.’

1) "Do not laugh, my friend, it offends me." Who is the speaker here? Why does it offend him? Who is his friend here? 

2) Why did Jean-Victor take the place of duke Henri de Hardimont?

3) Did Jean-Victor die an honorable death? Explain. 

4) What kind of a person is Henri de Hardimont? 

5) "It is in memory of a poor fellow who died for me." Who is the speaker here and who is the poor fellow? What does the line say about the speaker here?