Heinrich Mann

Madame Legros, a simple woman from the bourgeoisie, finds a note in front of the Bastille containing the message of an innocent prisoner who has been held captive for many years. He is asking for help. By chance, Madame Legros thus becomes conscious of the monstrous power of injustice and the arbitrary violence of her rulers. From then on, she continues to fight with missionary zeal for the liberation of the innocent. In the higher strata of society, to which she gains access, the indomitability and directness of this simple woman, burning for justice, comes across as a curiosity. Even the queen does not want to miss such a spectacle of folkish naivete: Madame Legros is able to gain access even to her, and to present her with the request for the liberation of the prisoner Latude. Madame Legros becomes more and more aware that, in order to achieve her goal, she will be compelled to make compromises with the rulers. She finally achieves what she has fought for, and is honored for her passionate commitment to humanity with the Academy’s award for virtue. Tired and disillusioned, however, she can only see the honor as a mockery of her cause. When the crowd, on the eve of the storming of the Bastille, summons Madame Legros as their leader, she refuses. The Chevalier d'Angelot, who wants to protect her from the blind rage of the revolutionaries, is killed. Madame Legros returns full of guilt and resignation to her limited domestic existence. (Kindlers Neues Literatur Lexikon)