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The Life and Works The Life and Works of Guy de of Guy de MaupassantMaupassant““I have coveted everything and taken I have coveted everything and taken pleasure in nothing.”pleasure in nothing.”

by Heather Gendron

• Born Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant Born Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant on August 5, 1850 in Dieppe, France.on August 5, 1850 in Dieppe, France.

• The oldest son of Gustave de Maupassant The oldest son of Gustave de Maupassant and Laure Le Poittevin de Maupassant.and Laure Le Poittevin de Maupassant.

• Had a brother named Hervé, who was 6 Had a brother named Hervé, who was 6 years younger than him.years younger than him.

• As a child, Guy loved nature and the As a child, Guy loved nature and the outdoors, especially fishing and canoeing.outdoors, especially fishing and canoeing.

Sa Vie:Sa Vie:

• In a time in France In a time in France when divorce did not when divorce did not yet exist, his mother yet exist, his mother separated from his separated from his father when he was father when he was 11 years old.11 years old.

• Guy and Hervé Guy and Hervé moved with their moved with their mother to Étretat in mother to Étretat in Normandy.Normandy.

• Their mother gave Their mother gave them a lot of freedom them a lot of freedom to do whatever they to do whatever they wanted and Guy wanted and Guy would often roam the would often roam the countryside and was countryside and was even allowed to own even allowed to own his own boat.his own boat.

• In 1864, Guy went to go to school at Yvetot, In 1864, Guy went to go to school at Yvetot, where he was expelled in 1868 for writing where he was expelled in 1868 for writing offensive poetry.offensive poetry.

• He also got in trouble while at Yvetot for He also got in trouble while at Yvetot for mocking a sermon on eternal damnation, mocking a sermon on eternal damnation, religion always offended him.religion always offended him.

• After being expelled from Yvetot, he attended After being expelled from Yvetot, he attended the Lyceé at Rouen.the Lyceé at Rouen.

• At the Lyceé, he was under the guidance and At the Lyceé, he was under the guidance and mentorship of Gustave Flaubert, a famous writer mentorship of Gustave Flaubert, a famous writer and lifelong friend of his mother and his Uncle and lifelong friend of his mother and his Uncle Alfred.Alfred.

• In 1869, he received his Bachelier és lettres and In 1869, he received his Bachelier és lettres and went to go study law in Paris.went to go study law in Paris.

• His law studies were interrupted when he His law studies were interrupted when he volunteered to serve in the Franco-Prussian war volunteered to serve in the Franco-Prussian war in 1870.in 1870.

• Many of Guy’s stories are centered around this Many of Guy’s stories are centered around this war, including his most famous war, including his most famous Boule de SuifBoule de Suif..

• The conflict ended after 10 months and Guy The conflict ended after 10 months and Guy returned home to his mother in Étretat, unsure returned home to his mother in Étretat, unsure whether or not he should continue his law whether or not he should continue his law studies.studies.

• When he came home, When he came home, he served a literary he served a literary apprenticeship under apprenticeship under Flaubert and got a job Flaubert and got a job as a clerk in the as a clerk in the Ministry at the urging Ministry at the urging of his father.of his father.

• This job caused Guy This job caused Guy much misery and he much misery and he referred to the job as a referred to the job as a hellhell..

• Meanwhile, while under Meanwhile, while under the care of Flaubert, he the care of Flaubert, he was being introduced to was being introduced to many famous writers.many famous writers.

• While working at the Ministry, he also While working at the Ministry, he also contributed to many newspapers and contributed to many newspapers and continued to pursue his writing aspirations.continued to pursue his writing aspirations.

• When he was appointed a permanent position When he was appointed a permanent position in the printing and stationary department, he in the printing and stationary department, he would often use office supplies and use work would often use office supplies and use work hours to work on his writing.hours to work on his writing.

• Guy felt very unaccomplished with his Guy felt very unaccomplished with his position.position.

• In 1879, Guy finally In 1879, Guy finally resigned from his resigned from his clerk job to pursue clerk job to pursue writing full-time.writing full-time.

• His mentor and friend, His mentor and friend, Gustave Flaubert, died Gustave Flaubert, died in 1880.in 1880.

• Later in his life, Guy Later in his life, Guy started losing his started losing his mind.mind.

• He had contracted syphilis around 1876.He had contracted syphilis around 1876.• His mental health began to deteriorate, His mental health began to deteriorate,

especially between 1887 and 1890. He was also especially between 1887 and 1890. He was also suffering from amnesia attacks.suffering from amnesia attacks.

• His mental decline was becoming apparent in his His mental decline was becoming apparent in his writing as well.writing as well.

• His brother, Hervé died in an asylum on His brother, Hervé died in an asylum on November 13, 1889 because he had also lost his November 13, 1889 because he had also lost his mind from syphilis.mind from syphilis.

• In 1892, Guy attempted suicide by slitting his In 1892, Guy attempted suicide by slitting his throat, but was saved by his valet, François and throat, but was saved by his valet, François and Doctor Valcourt.Doctor Valcourt.

• After this suicide attempt, Guy was sent to an After this suicide attempt, Guy was sent to an asylum.asylum.

• He lived in asylums for the rest of his life, until He lived in asylums for the rest of his life, until he died on July 6, 1893 in Passy.he died on July 6, 1893 in Passy.

• Guy de Maupassant Guy de Maupassant is considered to be is considered to be one of the father’s one of the father’s of the short story.of the short story.

• In his career he In his career he wrote over 300 wrote over 300 short stories, 6 short stories, 6 novels, a book of novels, a book of verse and many verse and many newspaper articles.newspaper articles.

Son écriture:Son écriture:

• Guy’s first published work, was his book of poems titled “Des Guy’s first published work, was his book of poems titled “Des Vers”, in 1880.Vers”, in 1880.

• Also in 1880, Guy published his first short story, “Boule de Also in 1880, Guy published his first short story, “Boule de Suif”.Suif”.

• ““Boule de Suif” is considered to be his best work and his Boule de Suif” is considered to be his best work and his masterpiece.masterpiece.

• 250 of his 300 short stories were published in between 1882 250 of his 300 short stories were published in between 1882 and 1887, before his health began to swiftly deteriorate.and 1887, before his health began to swiftly deteriorate.

• He is known for adding twists to the end of his short stories.He is known for adding twists to the end of his short stories.

His 6 Novels:His 6 Novels:

•Une Vie (1883)Une Vie (1883)•Bel Ami (1885)Bel Ami (1885)•Mont-Oriol (1887)Mont-Oriol (1887)•Pierre et Jean (1888)Pierre et Jean (1888)•Fort Comme La Mort (1889)Fort Comme La Mort (1889)•Notre Coeur (1890)Notre Coeur (1890)

He also contributed to many He also contributed to many newspapers:newspapers:

•Le FigaroLe Figaro•Le GauloisLe Gaulois•L’Echo de ParisL’Echo de Paris•Gil BlasGil Blas

• Guy’s novels seemed to have a very sympathetic view of Guy’s novels seemed to have a very sympathetic view of women, at least in the beginning.women, at least in the beginning.

• The women are often victims, unable to separate themselves The women are often victims, unable to separate themselves from the controlling male.from the controlling male.

• While the male characters see the women mainly as objects While the male characters see the women mainly as objects and exploit the women.and exploit the women.

• In later works, the roles seem to be reversed and the female In later works, the roles seem to be reversed and the female protagonists seem to be the ones manipulating the male.protagonists seem to be the ones manipulating the male.

• La Parure is a short story by Guy that translates into La Parure is a short story by Guy that translates into English as “The Necklace” or “The Ornament”. This is English as “The Necklace” or “The Ornament”. This is one of Guy’s stories with a twist ending.one of Guy’s stories with a twist ending.

• Mathilde is a narcissistic and shallow person. When Mathilde is a narcissistic and shallow person. When her husband gets an invitation to the Ministry Ball, her husband gets an invitation to the Ministry Ball, she becomes angry because she cannot afford any fine she becomes angry because she cannot afford any fine things to wear.things to wear.

• She borrows a diamond necklace from her friend and She borrows a diamond necklace from her friend and winds up getting a lot of attention at the Ball. When winds up getting a lot of attention at the Ball. When she comes home, she realizes she has lost the she comes home, she realizes she has lost the necklace and her and her husband must go to find a necklace and her and her husband must go to find a replacement.replacement.

• They spend 36,000 francs on a new necklace, only to They spend 36,000 francs on a new necklace, only to find out 10 years later after paying off the whole debt find out 10 years later after paying off the whole debt that the necklace was a fake and only worth 500 that the necklace was a fake and only worth 500 francs.francs.

La Parure:La Parure:

• Guy was known to himself be a very shallow Guy was known to himself be a very shallow person.person.

• While her husband seems to be a very While her husband seems to be a very righteous man and willing to do anything for righteous man and willing to do anything for his wife she is cold, distant and disinterested, his wife she is cold, distant and disinterested, only wanting the material things in life. only wanting the material things in life.

• Guy de Maupassant was also a clerk at the Guy de Maupassant was also a clerk at the Ministry.Ministry.

• It’s interesting to me that their hard work It’s interesting to me that their hard work and suffering to pay off their debt lasted 10 and suffering to pay off their debt lasted 10 years, since Guy worked at the Ministry for years, since Guy worked at the Ministry for 10 years himself and loathed his job.10 years himself and loathed his job.

• Le Horla Le Horla is a short story that was written by Guy is a short story that was written by Guy in 1887.in 1887.

• It is written in a journal entry format and It is written in a journal entry format and documents a man’s total break from reality into documents a man’s total break from reality into insanity.insanity.

• The man is under the impression that he is being The man is under the impression that he is being haunted and emotionally tortured by an invisible haunted and emotionally tortured by an invisible being. A being that he later names “The Horla”.being. A being that he later names “The Horla”.

• Eventually, he tries to lock the Horla in his house Eventually, he tries to lock the Horla in his house and sets the home on fire, not seeming to and sets the home on fire, not seeming to remember that his servants are still inside.remember that his servants are still inside.

• He decides that the Horla is not dead and that he He decides that the Horla is not dead and that he will never be able to kill it, so he decides to will never be able to kill it, so he decides to instead kill himself.instead kill himself.

Le Horla:Le Horla:

• ““Le Horla” was written Le Horla” was written by Guy de Maupassant by Guy de Maupassant in 1887, near the end of in 1887, near the end of his life, in a time when his life, in a time when he was experiencing his he was experiencing his own break with reality own break with reality because of his illness.because of his illness.

• He had told close He had told close personal friends of personal friends of hallucinations and hallucinations and nightmares that he had nightmares that he had been having, which been having, which seem to be similar to the seem to be similar to the account described in account described in “Le Horla”.“Le Horla”.

• ““Ball-of-Fat” (Elizabeth Rousset) is a prostitute who Ball-of-Fat” (Elizabeth Rousset) is a prostitute who while on a carriage during the Franco-Prussian war, while on a carriage during the Franco-Prussian war, with more established individuals, is treated very with more established individuals, is treated very coldly until she shares her food with them while they coldly until she shares her food with them while they are starving.are starving.

• They are captured by the Germans and will not be They are captured by the Germans and will not be released unless she sleeps with officer. She and the released unless she sleeps with officer. She and the others are all disgusted. The others, however, grow others are all disgusted. The others, however, grow impatient and change their minds, trying to convince impatient and change their minds, trying to convince her to just do it, she eventually caves in. Back on the her to just do it, she eventually caves in. Back on the carriage she is treated with the same coldness as carriage she is treated with the same coldness as before and everyone is ignoring her. When they eat before and everyone is ignoring her. When they eat all the food they brought with them, they do not all the food they brought with them, they do not share any with her like she had with them and share any with her like she had with them and realizing all the shame she feels, she weeps.realizing all the shame she feels, she weeps.

Boule de Suif:Boule de Suif:

• This was Guy’s first major published worked, which was This was Guy’s first major published worked, which was published in 1880.published in 1880.

• Kind of questions the definition of morality.Kind of questions the definition of morality.• Humanizes a person that in society would normally be Humanizes a person that in society would normally be

judged on the spot and dismissed.judged on the spot and dismissed.• She sacrifices multiple times for the others, but they do She sacrifices multiple times for the others, but they do

not do the same for her.not do the same for her.

• His mother, Laure Le PoittevinHis mother, Laure Le Poittevin• Gisèle d’EstocGisèle d’Estoc• Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert• Louis BouilhetLouis Bouilhet• Algernon Charles SwinburneAlgernon Charles Swinburne

Ses Influences:Ses Influences:

• Laure Le Poittevin de Laure Le Poittevin de Maupassant.Maupassant.

• Probably one of the Probably one of the greatest influences on greatest influences on Guy’s life (and probably Guy’s life (and probably contributed to his mental contributed to his mental health issues, as well..).health issues, as well..).

• She was an independent She was an independent free-spirited woman.free-spirited woman.

• In a time when divorce did In a time when divorce did not exist in France, she not exist in France, she separated from her separated from her husband and did not care husband and did not care about any social disgrace about any social disgrace she may face.she may face.

• She was highly educated She was highly educated for a woman of her time.for a woman of her time.

• She loved literature, especially Shakespeare, and She loved literature, especially Shakespeare, and she shared this passion with her son whom she she shared this passion with her son whom she wanted to be a poet like her brother, Alfred, who wanted to be a poet like her brother, Alfred, who had died at age 32 in 1848.had died at age 32 in 1848.

• She gained her knowledge and passion for She gained her knowledge and passion for literature through her brother and their close literature through her brother and their close personal childhood friend, Gustave Flaubert.personal childhood friend, Gustave Flaubert.

• Whenever Guy’s father would come visit him and Whenever Guy’s father would come visit him and his brother, his mother had his father sit at the his brother, his mother had his father sit at the table as a guest and had Guy sat where the table as a guest and had Guy sat where the husband would be seated.husband would be seated.

• Guy was a victim of excessive mother adoration. Guy was a victim of excessive mother adoration. She loved her sons more than anything and wrote She loved her sons more than anything and wrote in a letter to Gustave Flaubert that she believed in a letter to Gustave Flaubert that she believed that her sons were the only thing that might be that her sons were the only thing that might be able to bring her some kind of happiness in life.able to bring her some kind of happiness in life.

• His mother probably contributed a lot to his His mother probably contributed a lot to his psychological problems.psychological problems.

• She would constantly tell Guy when he was young She would constantly tell Guy when he was young about the horror and misery of married life and about the horror and misery of married life and how much she hated his father.how much she hated his father.

• This caused Guy to hold his father accountable for This caused Guy to hold his father accountable for his mother’s suffering.his mother’s suffering.

• Guy did not believe in marriage or commitment at Guy did not believe in marriage or commitment at all and was an advocate of “free love”.all and was an advocate of “free love”.

• He was promiscuous and unfortunately wound up He was promiscuous and unfortunately wound up contracting syphilis, which was the main contracting syphilis, which was the main contributor in his decline in mental health and contributor in his decline in mental health and eventual death.eventual death.

• He found marriage to be oppressive and He found marriage to be oppressive and compared it to slavery.compared it to slavery.

• He continually defended women against men and He continually defended women against men and society.society.

• He had an inability to love.He had an inability to love.

When he became a writer, in an effort to When he became a writer, in an effort to separate himself from his father’s name, he used separate himself from his father’s name, he used several pseudonyms:several pseudonyms:

•Joseph PrunierJoseph Prunier•Guy de ValmontGuy de Valmont•MaufrigneuseMaufrigneuse

• Gisèle was a girlfriend of Guy’s.Gisèle was a girlfriend of Guy’s.• She was a writer, painter, sculptor and journalist.She was a writer, painter, sculptor and journalist.• She also influenced many of Guy’s life views and She also influenced many of Guy’s life views and

was also anti-commitment.was also anti-commitment.• She also often dressed up like a man, claiming She also often dressed up like a man, claiming

that she was an advanced copy of a new “third that she was an advanced copy of a new “third sex” that was evolving that included both male sex” that was evolving that included both male and female characteristics.and female characteristics.

• She preyed on Guy’s strengths and was a She preyed on Guy’s strengths and was a manipulator and may be the reason for his change manipulator and may be the reason for his change in gender roles in his writing.in gender roles in his writing.

Gisèle d’Estoc:Gisèle d’Estoc:

• Gustave Flaubert was a famous writer, known Gustave Flaubert was a famous writer, known most notably for his novel most notably for his novel Madame BovaryMadame Bovary..

• Gustave Flaubert was a close childhood friend of Gustave Flaubert was a close childhood friend of Guy’s uncle, Alfred and his mother, Laure.Guy’s uncle, Alfred and his mother, Laure.

• Alfred was a poet and worked closely under Alfred was a poet and worked closely under Flaubert. Alfred died young and after Laure’s Flaubert. Alfred died young and after Laure’s separation from her husband, she received a separation from her husband, she received a letter from Flaubert. letter from Flaubert.

• When Laure got his letter, she decided to tell When Laure got his letter, she decided to tell Flaubert about her son, Guy..Flaubert about her son, Guy..

Gustave Flaubert:Gustave Flaubert:

• When Flaubert met Guy, When Flaubert met Guy, he saw his potential.he saw his potential.

• When Guy returned from When Guy returned from school, he was transferred school, he was transferred to the care of Flaubert.to the care of Flaubert.

• Guy lived and worked Guy lived and worked under Flaubert’s guidance under Flaubert’s guidance for 10 years and served a for 10 years and served a literary apprenticeship literary apprenticeship under him.under him.

• Flaubert was the first to Flaubert was the first to congratulate Guy on his congratulate Guy on his first success, first success, Boule de Boule de SuifSuif..

• When at the Lyceé in Rouen, Guy met a brilliant When at the Lyceé in Rouen, Guy met a brilliant poet named Louis Bouilhet.poet named Louis Bouilhet.

• Bouilhet was also under the guidance of Flaubert Bouilhet was also under the guidance of Flaubert and Flaubert deeply admired him.and Flaubert deeply admired him.

• Bouilhet became close with Guy and tried to help Bouilhet became close with Guy and tried to help him become a poet.him become a poet.

• Bouilhet also died very young.Bouilhet also died very young.

Louis Bouilhet:Louis Bouilhet:

• The writer and poet Algernon Charles The writer and poet Algernon Charles Swinburne also had an impact on Guy’s Swinburne also had an impact on Guy’s literary life.literary life.

• While in Yvetot in 1864, Guy helped save While in Yvetot in 1864, Guy helped save Swinburne from drowning.Swinburne from drowning.

• During his teenage years, Guy met many During his teenage years, Guy met many influential writers and poets, who would help influential writers and poets, who would help shape his career.shape his career.

Algernon Charles Algernon Charles Swinburne:Swinburne:

• http://www.online-literature.com/maupassant/• http://classiclit.about.com/od/maupassantguy/p/aa_gde

maupass.htm• Maupassant in the Hall of Mirrors: Ironies in the Work Maupassant in the Hall of Mirrors: Ironies in the Work

of Guy de Maupassant of Guy de Maupassant by Trevor A Le V. Harrisby Trevor A Le V. Harris• Struggling Under the Destructive Glance: Androgyny in Struggling Under the Destructive Glance: Androgyny in

the Novels of Guy de Maupassant the Novels of Guy de Maupassant by Peter Langby Peter Lang• Guy de Maupassant: A Biographical Study Guy de Maupassant: A Biographical Study by Ernest by Ernest

BoydBoyd• The Private Life of Guy de Maupassant The Private Life of Guy de Maupassant by Ronald by Ronald

KirkbrideKirkbride• The Life, Work and Evil Fate of Guy de Maupassant The Life, Work and Evil Fate of Guy de Maupassant by by

Robert Harborough Sherard (translated by Marjorie Robert Harborough Sherard (translated by Marjorie Laurie)Laurie)

• Guy de Maupassant Guy de Maupassant by Albert H. Wallaceby Albert H. Wallace• Maupassant: A Lion in the Path Maupassant: A Lion in the Path by Francis Steegmullerby Francis Steegmuller• The Collected Stories of Guy de Maupassant The Collected Stories of Guy de Maupassant by Guy de by Guy de

Maupassant (Introduction and Notes by Richard Fusco)Maupassant (Introduction and Notes by Richard Fusco)

Works Cited:Works Cited: