The Scapegoat by Émile Erckmann
The story takes place in a small village in the Vosges Mountains during the Franco-Prussian War. The villagers are poor and superstitious, believing in witches and demons. They accuse a deaf-mute of being responsible for their misfortunes and sentence him to death. However, as the execution is about to take place, a stranger arrives, revealing that the true culprit is actually the village mayor's son.
By Émile Erckmann · First published 1840 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Historical Fiction · 3,802 words
First lines
This story, allowing for the exercise of fancy in its construction, is only too faithful a picture of German student life and habits, with its ignorance or disregard of the Christianity taught us in the Gospel, its only half-concealed leaning towards the ancient systems of religion properly known as heathen, and its careless indifference to human life. The translator has ventured to deviate slightly from the original in one or two places in order to avoid giving an unnecessary shock to the susceptibilities of readers trained and educated in principles widely differing from these. -- _Transl_.
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The Scapegoat is listed on Textopian as a short story by Émile Erckmann, dated 1840 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Émile Erckmann
- Date: 1840 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Historical Fiction, Tragedy, Satire
- Length: 3,802 words
- Structure: 1 section, 78 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for The Scapegoat by Émile Erckmann
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book explores complex themes of guilt, morality, and redemption through character-driven narratives.
- Philosophical Fiction — It delves into philosophical questions about crime, punishment, and the nature of expiation.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical context, it reflects on German student life and societal norms of the time.
- Tragedy — The narrative involves tragic elements, particularly the consequences of Elias's actions and his subsequent guilt.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Family Drama · Social Hierarchy · Power Dynamics · Wealth and Class · Morality Play · Guilt and Shame · Redemption Arc · Tragic Flaw · Character Study · Philosophical Themes · 19th Century Literature