Marie Cloisette Confronts Hunger
Itis September, 1788. It has been a difficult year for most of the peasants in
France, Due to outdated farming methods and poor conditions, last year’s crop failures
have caused food shortages in many areas. It also looks like this year’s harvest is not
going to be any better. The government of King Louis XVI does not appear to be very
concerned, Despite the rising costs of btead due to the food shortages, the government
has not provided any tax relief to the members of the Third Estate. Furthermore, the
government claims that it does not raise enough money through taxes to be able to give
any help to the city-poor or the peasants who do not have adequate food or shelter to
survive. During these times of food shortage, there is also a shortage of pride and order
within France, The French people have long forgotten the glory of France under Louis
XIV and now resort to rioting and stealing in order to get the food they desperately need.
“The nobility — who enjoy a level of prosperity that allow them to live well beyond their
means ~ do not trust the city or rural poor and try to have as little contact with them as
possible, While the wealthier bishops and archbishops act similar to the nobles, some of
the parish priests do their best to help, giving whatever zid they can to the most
unfortunate,
Marie Cloisette is the mother of six children who lives in a farming village in
southern France, The area where she lives has been hit especially hard by last year’s crop
failure and a drought this year is threatening the current harvest. No matter how long her
nssband Pierre works in the fields, Marie does not believe there will be extra food. Marie
is saddened because she has noticed more and more people in her village begging for food.
She is afraid that there will not be adequate food for even her own family. Marie has
started to ration the small amount of food that she does have, Her children frequently
complain about being hungry, but Marie is so scared about what the future might bring
that she does not want to go through her meager food supply too quickly.
Louise Millet and her family of five live down the street from Marie's family.
Although Louise's family are also farmers, they have always possessed more wealth than
Marie’s family. From time to time, their husbands have helped each other get as much out
of their fields as possible. Louise thinks that Marie is being overly cautious with her
family’s food supply and that there will be a greater food supply in the future, Louise also
cannot bear the thought of her children being hungry, and so she refuses to ration the food
she has, Marie has tried to warn Louise about what might happen if conditions do not
improve but Louise does not want to change her ways.It is now January, 1789. Louise was wrong end Marie was right, conditions for
the peasants have become worse, The harvest this year was even worse than expected and
food has become very scarce. Louise has reached the very end of her food supply. Marie,
on the other hand, still has food for her family, and appears that she will be able to make it
through all of the spring. She hopes that conditions will improve by then, or else she will
be facing starvation, a5 Louise is right now. Louise will not be able to get help from either
the government or the church because they will either refuse to help or they are providing
help to the thousands who are much worse off than her. With nowhere else to turn,
Louise goes to Marie and asks her to please give her some food for her family or they will
starve,