The Frontier

A novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the character of Morestal, a patriotic farmer and mayor, whose life is intricately connected to the tension between France and Germany, set against the backdrop of looming war. Through the lives of Morestal, his son Philippe, and the intertwining paths of other residents near the French-German border, the narrative grapples with themes of loyalty, national pride, and the personal costs of conflict. The opening of the book sets a tense atmosphere as Morestal and his wife discuss the ongoing disturbances along the French-German frontier, specifically the repeated damage to a boundary post, symbolizing deeper issues of national integrity and personal conflict stemming from past wars. We see Morestal's fierce pride in France and a palpable sense of foreboding as he reflects on the possibility of conflict re-emerging with Germany. The arrival of their son Philippe, a professor who has differing views, introduces an imminent clash of ideologies within the family, encapsulating the overarching struggle between old patriotic sentiments and newer, more progressive worldviews. As Philippe returns home with his wife Marthe, layers of personal history entwine with the national narrative, hinting at dramatic tensions both within the family and across the border.