In "Two Little Soldiers," Guy de Maupassant tells a story about two young men, but he does so in a way that nudges readers to meditate on the complexity of human relationships. De Maupassant creates a compelling narrative arc, adopts a unique point of view, and leaves readers with unanswered questions.

The story's narrative arc begins with a fairly long exposition as the narrator introduces Jean and Luc, two little soldiers, a shabby pair who go for a walk each Sunday trying to find a hint of home. Readers only learn their names several paragraphs into the story. This exposition also introduces the tale's themes of home and friendship, and the tension rises as readers realize that these two young men are far from happy.

The narrator introduces the story's conflict in the form of a farm girl. At first, she does not seem like much of a conflict; she is merely a pleasant young woman who pities two soldiers so far from home. However, Jean and Luc's discussion about a gift for the girl may be the first time the two have disagreed about anything.

The action accelerates as the young men compete for the girl's attention. Luc goes off without Jean, leaving the latter hurt and baffled. Jean's moment of realization that Luc has abandoned their friendship for the love of the girl rushes the story to its climax at the bridge as Jean leans over too far, drops into the river, and is gone forever. Luc is left stammering and dazed as the story resolves on the note that "Choked with emotion, he could say no more," yet he does not fully understand the situation.

De Maupassant presents his narrative arc using a rather unique point of view. The narrator is not omniscient, and for most of the story, he describes Jean, Luc, and the girl from an external perspective. Readers do not enter their minds until Luc takes his first leave alone. The narrative perspective shifts at this point, and the narrator presents some of Jean's thoughts and feelings. Jean does not understand what is happening, yet he is suspicious. This internal point of view continues as Jean painfully watches Luc and the girl, wanting more than anything to cry and run away and hide and "never to see anybody any more."

Then, the perspective abruptly shifts again, pulling back out of Jean's mind and resuming an external stance. Readers watch as Jean falls over the bridge while Luc stands "paralyzed with anguish," unable even to shout. Only at the end of the story does the narrator enter Luc's psyche, ever so slightly, to describe his "soul filled with despair" and remark, "If he had only known."

The story's narrative arc and perspective leave many unanswered questions and ample room for interpretation. Readers must determine for themselves what really happened. Some, for instance, might decide that Jean commits suicide when he leans over the bridge. These readers might perceive the excessive leaning as the deliberate act of a despairing man who believes he has permanently lost his best friend. Others, however, may see it as a mere accident, perhaps thinking that Jean did see something in the current and that he lost his balance.

Jean's final gesture is also open to interpretation. Luc briefly sees Jean's hand reaching up out of the water. Perhaps it is a gesture of desperation or farewell, or maybe it is meaningless. Readers are left to figure that out for themselves.

Readers may also have varying interpretations of Luc's actions. Some might perceive a great deal of selfishness and even malice...