Ball-of-Fat by Guy de Maupassant

Ball of Fat (Boule de Suif) by Guy de Maupassant is a classic short story set during the Franco-Prussian War. A group of French aristocrats, merchants, and nuns flee by carriage, accompanied by "Ball of Fat," a kind-hearted yet scorned prostitute. When a Prussian officer halts their journey, he demands that she sleep with him in exchange for their passage. Initially, the upper-class passengers support her refusal, but as days pass, they manipulate her into sacrificing herself for their freedom. Once she complies, they shun her, revealing their hypocrisy. The story is a sharp critique of social class, morality, and human selfishness, showcasing Maupassant’s masterful realism and irony. (Summary by Mentor New York)