Comparing Two Friends By Ulrich Von Gradwitz And Georg Znaeym

The Interlopers & Two Friends
“‘What peace there would be among the forester folk if we ended our feud tonight. And if we chose to make peace among our people, there is none to interfere, no interlopers from outside’”(Saki 12). As two enemies begin to look more like two friends, the realization that the upbringing of children substantially affects the feelings, personality, and characteristics of that individual are, generally, shown to be based on their parents. However, these traits of Ulrich von Gradwitz and Georg Znaeym in “The Interlopers” by Saki and that of Monsieur Morissot and Monsieur Sauvage in “Two Friends” by Guy de Maupassant explains that despite both pairs of men having similar attributes such as stubbornness, their initial …show more content…
These similar characteristics/personality traits are the reason Ulrich and Georg first hated each other, but also how both them, Morissot and Monsieur, all remained friends in the end. Despite the determination and stubbornness of both Ulrich and Georg each had corresponding reasons to thirst for the blood of their enemy, yet it seemed, “the chance had come to give full play to the passions of a lifetime. But a man who had been brought up under the code of restraining civilization cannot easily nerve himself to shoot down his neighbor in cold blood without a word spoken” (Saki 9). Both men, regardless of the fury they hold for one another, were unable to shoot the other on the spot as they had thought. Each man had a tiny bit of compassion for the other, and the traits they shared left them unable to kill one another. There was hope between the two that possibly, they would be able to work out their differences, which they both agreed upon in the end. However, the moment Morissot and Monsieur met, they bond over their similarities, just as how Ulrich and Georg realize they should, Morissot and Monsieur talk, relate and “understand each other perfectly without needing to exchange any words, because their tastes were so alike and their feelings identical” (Guy de Maupassant 548). These two friends and the two sworn enemies all portray stubbornness, determination, and loyalty. Ulrich and Georg might have a different relationship in the beginning, but they will each compromise to be two pairs of friends that stand up for what they believe in, just like Morissot and Monsieur, even if it means they will fall down in the end. They will use their determination to do what is right and protect their country, and even make amends for the better of their community, despite what others