THE PRUSSIAN OFFICER
The stories are set in England, Germany, and Italy, and explore themes of human relationships, power dynamics, and the destructive effects of modern society. The title story, "The Prussian Officer," depicts the brutal treatment of a soldier by his superior officer in the German army, and the psychological consequences of this abuse. Other stories in the collection include "The Thorn in the Flesh," which explores the troubled relationship between a father and son, and "The Shades of Spring," which portrays a woman's struggle to assert her independence in a society that tries to suppress her.