Crainquebille

Crainquebille is a novella by Anatole France, first published in 1903. The story centers around Jules Crainquebille, an elderly vegetable peddler in Paris who becomes entangled in the bureaucratic and judicial systems after a misunderstanding with the police.
The plot begins when Crainquebille is wrongfully accused of insulting a police officer. Despite his innocence, he finds himself caught in a web of legal proceedings that expose the absurdities and injustices of the judicial system. The novella highlights the powerlessness of ordinary people against the impersonal machinery of the state and serves as a critique of institutional injustice.
Anatole France uses Crainquebille's plight to explore themes of social inequality and the flaws within the legal system. The story is marked by France's characteristic irony and compassion, illustrating the impact of societal structures on individuals. Crainquebille was adapted into a successful play and film, further cementing its place as a poignant social commentary.