The story unfolds during the tumultuous Franco-Prussian War. Julien is eager to make his mark and gain recognition, but each encounter with battle leaves him paralyzed and unable to act. He feels immense shame and guilt over his incapacity, which only heightens his longing for bravery.
Julien's struggle leads him to take desperate measures. Desiring a decoration, he feigns a wound and deceives his superiors by claiming he was injured during a battle. Julien basks in the praise and accolades he receives as a hero, but the weight of his deceit gnaws at him, and he begins to descend into mental anguish.
Haunted by his cowardice and the self-loathing that comes with it, Julien ultimately finds his breaking point. He stumbles upon a group of soldiers who are suffering and dying on the battlefield, and in that moment of witness, Julien's sense of shame and honor overwhelms him. He charges into battle, risking his life to protect his comrades.
In the climax, Julien exhibits genuine bravery and manages to save the lives of several of his fellow soldiers. However, his act of heroism is short-lived. In the aftermath of the battle, Julien reflects on his transformed self and accepts that he has finally overcome his haunting fears. He achieves the inner courage he had so desperately sought, and in the process, finds a measure of redemption.