The Devil's Pool

The Devil's Pool by George Sand

The narrative follows a peasant named Germain, who reflects on the hardships of rural life and the struggles of the working class. He is a widower with three children, grappling with the loss of his beloved wife, Catherine. Germain's father-in-law, Father Maurice, encourages him to remarry for the sake of his children. Germain is hesitant, still mourning his wife, but eventually agrees to consider finding a new partner. Germain's life takes a turn when he meets a young shepherdess named Marie, who is kind-hearted and hardworking. Their relationship develops as they bond over their shared experiences and the challenges of peasant life. Germain is drawn to Marie, but he struggles with feelings of inadequacy due to their age difference and his status as a widower. The story unfolds against the backdrop of rural customs and traditions, including a wedding celebration that highlights the community's values and the importance of family. Germain's affection for Marie grows, and he begins to envision a future with her, despite his initial doubts about her feelings. As the narrative progresses, Germain faces obstacles, including the advances of a rival suitor, the farmer of Ormeaux, who attempts to woo Marie. Tensions rise when Germain confronts the farmer, leading to a physical altercation that underscores Germain's protective instincts toward Marie. Ultimately, Germain's love for Marie prevails, and they marry in a joyful ceremony filled with traditional festivities. The story concludes with Germain reflecting on his newfound happiness, the love he shares with Marie, and the hope for a prosperous future for their family. The narrative captures the essence of rural life, the struggles of the working class, and the enduring power of love and community.

By George Sand · First published 1851 · Genre: Romanticism, Literary Fiction, Drama · 17 chapters · 43,242 words

First lines

I had just been looking long and sadly at Holbein's plowman, and was walking through the fields, musing on rustic life and the destiny of the husbandman. It is certainly tragic for him to spend his days and his strength delving in the jealous earth, that so reluctantly yields up her rich treasures when a morsel of coarse black bread, at the end of the day's work, is the sole reward and profit to be reaped from such arduous toil. The wealth of the soil, the harvests, the fruits, the splendid cattle that grow sleek and fat in the luxuriant grass, are the property of the few, and but instruments of the drudgery and slavery of the many. The man of leisure seldom loves, for their own sake, the fields and meadows, the landscape, or the noble animals which are to be converted into gold for his use. He comes to the country for his health or for change of air, but goes back to town to spend the fruit of his vassal's labor.

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The Devil's Pool is listed on Textopian as a novel by George Sand, dated 1851 CE.

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Romance · Historical Fiction · Literary Fiction · French Literature · 19th Century Novel · Social Commentary · Marriage · Love Story · Family Drama · Class Conflict · Morality Tale · Coming of Age

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