Jean qui grogne et Jean qui rit
Jean qui grogne et Jean qui rit (German: The grumbling Jean and the laughing Jean ) is a literary work by the French writer Sophie de Ségur . It was published in 1865 and uses authorial narrative style to describe the adventures and experiences of two cousins with completely opposite characters. Jean, who is always in a cheerful mood and with his jovial, friendly and sincere manner, finds great sympathy with everyone, and Jeannot, who always makes a grim face, complains about everything, is always dissatisfied and feels haunted by bad luck. The story vividly describes how a person's nature determines their success or failure in life.
action
Jean, who lives with his widowed mother Hélène in a small farmhouse in Brittany , leaves his parents' house shortly before his fourteenth birthday because his mother can no longer support him. He sets off on foot to see his big brother Simon, who has found a job as a waiter in Paris in order to find a job there too. He is accompanied by his cousin Jeannot of the same age, who has to leave his aunt, with whom he grew up, for the same reason. On the trip, the young people experience several adventures and get to know the farmer Kersac and the wealthy artist Monsieur Abel, who are of crucial importance for their future lives.
criticism
The story, especially in the second part, has a very moralizing effect. It reflects the author's religious views, which are strongly influenced by Christian ethics .