F+Beggar


 * Diary Entry #3: April 23, 1802**

Finally, the time that every France citizen has been waiting for has come. France is no longer ruled by the absolute monarch King Louis XVI but now is ruled by the magnificent Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon is the kind of dependable, fair, and strong ruler that our country needs right now. After the French Revolution, there were many bad consequences that followed, such as the Reign of Terror. Just remembering back to those life-threatening days sends a cold chill down my back. However, now, Napoleon is being a very effective ruler and our country is much more stable now.

In the morning, I was taking a walk with Théo and my spirits are much higher these days since everyone has more food now and the economy is more stable all because Napoleon has set up an efficient tax collecting system that is both fair and helpful to the government. I am still a beggar on the streets who is fighting for my dog’s and my survival, I’m hoping I will be getting more generous amounts of food or money from people I beg from. Théo and I passed by the wine merchant’s house and I guessed we looked pitiful because he gave us a very generous amount of bread which Théo and I devoured and a some wine to top it off. He’s such a kind man.

Later in the day, I decided head to a pub to see if I can get another drink with the money I had received from begging in the morning, and to have some fun of course. Inside, I saw the wine merchant from this morning again. I sat down with him and we started having a chat about our lives and how things have improved since Napoleon took control. I was also surprised when I saw my former teacher, the wigmaker, there who also came to grab a drink. He joined our conversation and began asking me a lot of questions about my life since he hasn’t seen me for quite a long time. I took this chance to ask him I could be his apprentice again and that even though I’m a beggar and have no money, I promise to make it up by working very hard to help him at his business. He gladly accepted me and I was overjoyed that Théo and I would no longer have to beg anymore.

My teacher and I said good bye to the friendly wine merchant and we headed back to the workshop so I can start practicing and renewing my wig making skills as soon as possible. My teacher made me change into some more presentable clothes as he left me to go run an errand to deliver some wigs to a countess. Now, I must work to please my teacher but I have no words to describe how happy and pleased right now with my life. I hope it will improve more and more in the future. Good, Thomas Sword. //The Wigmaker's Apprentice//. 1789. Scotheby's, London. //artvalue.com//. Web. 8 Dec. 2011.


 * Diary Entry #2:** July 14, 1789

Waking up in the morning has been getting harder and harder. I’m so hungry and tired these days; I wonder how much longer I can last like this. I need bread. That’s the most important factor to Thêo and my survival. Thêo is almost just sticks and bones and that is what describes my appearance now too. We’re starving and our stomachs are growling louder and louder each there. The noise is filling up my thoughts and I can’t think clearly anymore, all I can think of is food. Deciding maybe a little exercise will distract me, Thêo and I take a walk to Andre’s home.

My face brightens up once I see Andre, who is a groom. Although I worry about him because he is also getting leaner due to the food shortage, it still makes my day better to be able to spend time with him. Andres is an orphan like me plus he is also the same age so we are able to share many ideas with each other. Today, he complains about the rise in the bread prices again. Recently, he is no longer as gentle as before and is often angered by King Louis XVI’s ruling. I think this is because he is hungry and blames King Louis XVI for treating the third estate unfairly which leads to poverty in the third estate. I don’t know about my stance on this situation because I know the king is the king, he holds all the power, and we must respect him but on the other hand, I also feel disappointed at King Louis XVI because he is not willing to listen to his own people.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Andre suggests we actually take a part in the revolution! He excitedly explains that he just remembered he heard a rumor spreading around that a mob will be storming into the Bastille to raid the prison for weapons and gunpowder to fight against King Louie XVI. Andre wants to join the mob heading towards Bastille and now he is trying to convince me to join too! I am hesitant and reluctant. Yes, my dog and I are starving but to do something as extreme as that? We’re going to end up clashing head on with the king. After a lot of persuasion, Andre finally got me to agree to go with him. I am a beggar. I have nothing so I would have nothing to lose if I participate anyways, well, except for Thêo but I left him in Andre’s stables.

At half past three, we march with the group of over three hundred angry people to Bastille. They were all ready to give up their lives to put an end to their problems. They storm in and searched for gun powder and prisoners that have been wrongfully detained by King Louis XVI. I was amazed by the amount of people there and all bloodthirsty, maybe even a bit too much for my tastes. I didn’t fancy all the cutting off of heads and parading them through the streets and Andre told me most of the third estate have been angry for a long time and they were finally able to vent out their anger right now. Maybe all this violence is necessary in a revolution to make change but I hope it won’t be too much.

After the vent, I retrieve Thêo and start wandering around, trying to continue to beg for some more food or money. I had a little luck but still not a lot. Giving up, I decide to go visit someone else I haven’t seen for a while, Renée Necoy. Renêe is a milkmaid and another one of those kind souls who often shares some of her food with me even though she barely has enough for her own family. I wonder how her reaction would be towards my participation in the revolution. Maybe she supports the revolution too since she often complains about the unfair taxes and the bread issue but then again, everyone does these days, especially my hungry stomach.

I tell her and her husband about this afternoon’s activities while Thêo plays with her two children. After I tell them my story, they both support the revolution and Renéo seems to be very inspired by the storming of Bastille. She tells me that she also would like to take part in the revolution and I tell her a lot of other women also play big roles in the revolution and she can too if she decides to do so. Even though part of me is happy for her because she really wants to make a change to her own life and everyone else's, I, like her husband, feel anxious for her future since she is a woman. It got dark outside and I headed home with Thêo. We immediately dropped dead asleep because we were just too tired.

"Dear France, Happy Bastille Day! Love, New Orleans." Perch New Orleans. Blogger, 14 July 2011. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. .

Works Cited "Storming of the Bastille." Revolution. ThinkQuest, n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2011. .


 * Diary Entry #1:** September 7th, 1788

My stomach is growling. Again. This loud sound emanating from the deep hole in my abdomen always wakes me up in the morning, asking me to search for food to fill it up.I would wake up slowly and shake my Théo to get him up too. The river water today was freezing and I was very reluctant to wash myself using that water but I knew I needed to stay as clean as possible. My tattered and beaten clothes don’t give a lot of protection against the cold. I need to get some new ones somehow soon.

The morning begging session wasn’t very successful since it was cold in the morning and whenever it’s cold I get sleepy. While going my way on the streets of Paris, I heard a lot of people whispering about how taxes were increasing and the [|economy of the third estate] wasn’t getting better. A lot of people had debts and taxes they had to pay and didn’t have enough money, which landed them in prison. I thought this might be a cause to why I am stuck on the streets begging and cannot do anything to improve my life because everyone else’s lives are getting worse too. In the middle of my thoughts, my stomach started growling again which brought me back to reality; I really needed some money or food.

One kind man really liked dogs and he thought Théo looked a bit too thin so he gave me some money to go buy some treats for him and myself. I have to say Théo is a lot of help to me on the streets. He gives me company and I just love the dog so much, partially because I pity him too since he is in the same condition as I am. Sometimes, little children run towards him and like to pat him on the head because he is quite a good looking dog; he just doesn’t have anyone to take care of him except me. The children like Théo and because of him, they give me some coins or food. I always try to wash Théo and make him clean every morning so the children’s hands won’t get dirty. I wish I can pay back the children some how but I knew I needed their kindness to survive. I bought a little bread and started lunch with Théo.

While eating, I decided to have some fun with Théo and tried to make him stand up on his hind legs to reach up for the food. He was actually pretty good at it! This gave me an idea and for the afternoon I tried training Théo to be an acrobat to attract more attention and money. Quite a lot more people, especially children, passed by and I got a few more coins than usual. I was thrilled with my success, knowing today’s dinner would be a bit more fulfilling. Thinking today was my lucky day, I decided to try my luck and ask one of the royal guards for some money. I reasoned that since they worked for the royalty, they must be getting along a little better than the rest of us. Unfortunately, I still got rejected by them but I was already happy with what I had already that day.

Théo and I retired to our makeshift shelter under the bridge and enjoyed what we would call a “feast” under the bridge. Petting Théo while looking at the moonlight reflecting off the river water was very peaceful and calming; it made me think that I was leading a normal life with my family again. Théo and I cuddled under a few thin blankets. Falling asleep, I made a wish on a star that I would have something to fill my stomach with again by the end of tomorrow.

http://www.dailyclipart.net/clipart/category/dog-clip-art/ Clip art courtesy of DailyClipArt.net


 * Character Profile:**

Name: LÉO DUPONT Age: 15 Gender: Male Occupation: Former - Wig Maker Apprentice Current - None (Beggar) Social Class: Third Estate Financial situation: Extremely poor, often cold and starving, very little/no money.

Appearance: • Average height: 170 cm. • Terribly thin from lack of food. • Unruly light brown hair. • Tattered and old clothing. • Calloused and very dirty feet from walking around barefoot. • Dirt smudges on face, hands, legs from walking around begging. • Always with pet dog whom he formed a friendship with after he shared some bread with the starving dog.

Location of home and/or business: Neuilly, western suburbs of Paris.

Habitual locations: Around the streets of Paris. Wanders near restaurants or places with a lot of people. Retires to shelter under a bridge in the night next to the river.

Daily routine: Morning (7:00 - 8:00 am) - Wakes up from loud street noises. 8:00 - 8:30 am: Washes face, hands, legs, arms, and feet using river water. 8:30 -11:30 am: Beg for money/food for lunch. 11:30 - 12:00 am: Eats lunch (if any) with dog. 12:00 - 1:00 pm: Rests/naps 1:00 - 5:30 pm: Beg for money/food for dinner. 5:30 - 6:00 pm: Eats lunch (if any) with dog. 6:00 - 7:00 or 8:00 pm: Begs some more before going to sleep. 8:00 - 8:30 pm: Goes back to shelter under bridge and rests/thinks about how to get more money. 8:30 pm: Goes to sleep

Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: Although a beggar, he tries to be courteous and polite towards everyone even when he is hungry which often leads others to pity him and toss him a coin or two. He can be quite quick and agile, especially when some people get annoyed at his begging and decide to chuck him a stone or two instead. Because of his own misfortune, he understands hunger and loneliness of other beggars like him. He is kind and willing to share with other beggars which is why he now has a dog always following him around. When resting or alone, he often spaces out and sinks in his memories on how life used to be for him.

Past / Family History: His mother, Zoé, and his father, Diodore, were both peasants so naturally, Léo was born into a peasant family as a peasant. He often helped out his parents on the fields where they worked to make a living. They didn’t have a lot of money and food but they had enough to make it through each day. When Lêo was five years old, his parents had his little sister, Alice. Lêo took on a job as an apprentice to a wig maker to earn a bit more money for his little sister. However, three years after she was born, Alice died from scarlet fever. This was a heavy blow on Lêo’s family and Lêo quit his apprenticeship to support his family more. The managed to pull through and keep on living. Another five years after Alice’s death, a fire burned down their house with Lêo’s mother and father in it, leaving Lêo an orphan. With no other known relatives nearby and Paris’ economy spiraling down, Lêo was left to beg on the streets.

Family: Father: Diodore Dupont (deceased) Mother: Zoé Dupont (deceased) Younger Sister: Alice Dupont (deceased) Dog: Theó (found on the streets)

Social relations with your own and other classes: • Begs mostly from the people of the third estate because he has learned that often, the first and second estates will not be generous or do not care enough to give him anything. • Used to be apprenticed to a wig maker. • Usually on good terms with the third estate since he does not try to steal or cause a lot of trouble; he just wants something to eat. • Knows that the first and second estates are favored over the third estate which is probably the cause to his current situation however he is too focused on just making it through the day and does not think too much about the first and second estates.

Religion: Catholic however does not pay much attention to religion; more focused on survival.

Education: Very limited education. Only knows a little writing and reading from what he learned from his father and the wig maker he was apprenticed to.

Style of speaking: Straightforward, polite, childlike.

Main privileges and/or conflicts: Fighting through every day to survive.

Portrait: (The boy on the left.) Beechey. //Portrait of Sir Francis Ford's Children Giving a Coin to a Beggar Boy//. 1793. Tate Gallery, London. //About.com Art History//. Web. 4 Dec. 2011.