The Plébiscite; or, A Miller's Story of the War

A modest miller from a quiet Alsatian village opens a window onto one of the most turbulent chapters in French history. Through his eyes we see the everyday rhythms of rural life—harvesting grain, caring for livestock, and sharing gossip in the local tavern—just before the nation’s fateful plebiscite and the sudden onslaught of war. His straightforward narration captures the bewildering mix of promises, propaganda, and betrayals that sweep even the most remote valleys into the conflict.

The story unfolds as the miller describes how the village’s sense of security crumbles under the weight of political manipulation and the looming presence of foreign armies. Readers are offered a vivid portrait of ordinary people caught between patriotic fervor and the harsh realities of conscription, loss, and occupation. By the end of the first act, the miller’s community faces a stark choice: cling to their identity or be forced to adapt to an imposed new order.