The French Soldier-Boy
The French Soldier-Boy is a short story written by Frank R. Stockton in the late 19th century. It tells the tale of a young French soldier who, after being wounded in battle, finds himself lost and alone in enemy territory. He eventually comes across a small village where he meets a kind old woman who takes him in and nurses him back to health. The story explores themes of war, compassion, and the human spirit.
By Frank R. Stockton · First published 1890 · Genre: Historical Fiction, War Fiction, Adventure · 420 words
First lines
Anxiously the General-in-chief of the French Army stood upon a little mound overlooking the battle-field. The cannon were thundering, the musketry was rattling, and clouds of smoke obscured the field and the contending armies.
"Ah! " thought he, "if that town over yonder is not taken; if my brave captains fall, and my brave soldiers falter at that stone wall; and if our flag shall not soon wave over those ramparts, France may yet be humbled."
What this Textopian page supports
The French Soldier-Boy is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frank R. Stockton, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Frank R. Stockton
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, War Fiction, Adventure, Drama, Tragedy
- Length: 420 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The French Soldier-Boy by Frank R. Stockton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The French Soldier-Boy?
- How does this short story by Frank R. Stockton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Daughter Of The Regiment by Rudyard Kipling
- Hello Soldier by Edward Dyson
- The Wild Geese by Stanley J. Weyman
- The Battle Of The Strong Volume 6 by Gilbert Parker
- The Fighting Fool by Perley Poore Sheehan
- The Colonels Boy by Stanley J. Weyman
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a historical context, involving a French army and a battle, with a focus on historical events and figures.
- War Fiction — The plot revolves around a battle, military strategy, and the experiences of soldiers, making war a central theme.
- Adventure — The narrative includes elements of adventure, such as the boy's daring ride through the battlefield to deliver crucial news.
- Drama — The story contains dramatic elements, including the boy's heroic actions and his poignant death, which evoke strong emotions.
Tags
war · adventure · courage · friendship · youth · military · bravery · identity · coming of age · conflict · loyalty · sacrifice