Quote and Overview
"I drag myself to the bottom of the steps, but what suffering I endure!"
This letter from WWI soldier Désiré Edmond Renault appears in its original French, followed by a translation by Amanda DuCharme, SU class of 2017. Dr. Lynn Palermo provides the introduction for this letter, which was written in 1914. The letter explores resilience in the face of war and violence, as the author recounts his experience as a solider.
Amanda DuCharme
Amanda DuCharme graduated from Susquehanna University in 2017 where she was involved with translating independent projects. She is passionate about her high school, Milton Hershey School, and is currently a substitute teacher and French tutor there. She also is a Alumni Relations Intern at Milton Hershey School where she volunteers for Alumni events, updates and maintains a database with current contact information for Alumni, and assists the development of connecting Alumni with current students.
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think the anthology includes both the French version of the piece and the English translation?
2. What are some specific incidents that made Désiré Edmond Renault resilient?
3. How does this piece, written over one-hundred years ago, relate to how people are resilient today?
In-Class Activities
1. Have students research the results of World War 1 that affect our world today. Have them discuss their findings with a group.
2. Have students write a "diary entry" for a time that they have been resilient in their lives, similar to how Désiré Edmond Renault did for this piece.
