ipl-logo

Guy De Maupassant Character Analysis

2237 Words9 Pages

POTRAYAL OF WOMEN IN THE SELECT SHORT STORIES OF GUY DE MAUPASSANT Author: Ms. R.AnnaLakshmi, Assistant Professor, Karpagam University-Coimbatore. Co-Author: Ms. D. Sarulatha, Assistant Professor, Karpagam College of Engineering-Coimbatore. Abstract The paper focuses on Guy De Maupassant’s women characters. He describes characters from various professions and social classes with sensitivity and humour. Although Maupassant was himself very pessimistic, rather chauvinistic, and also distrustful of organized religions, his characters do not simply mirror his own philosophy. He wrote about topics of interest to his French readers in the 1880’s, but he also enriched his …show more content…

She is the protagonist and this character has some reflection of his mother. She is depicted as a lady who is bold enough to meet the challenges in her life. She also repents for her sins. The story opens with the mother’s narration of her life’s incidents to a lawyer. She says that in her young age she was in love with a person but her family rejected him as he was not rich. She was compelled to marry another person. They had a son and after a few years her husband died. One day, she met her lover and he felt pity on her and they both brought up her son together. Some years passed happily, but at one point of time, when the son had come to know about their relationship, he ran out of home. When the mother came to know this, she insisted her husband that he must bring back her son to home. She says “I forbid you to come near me or to see me again unless you find him. Go away!” (SSG 30). She had a strong hope that her son will return one day. From then on she has been alone in her house for twenty years expecting her son’s return. The missing of her son caused her nervous attack and now she is waiting for a peaceful death. “A sum of five thousand francs is left to you as a fee if you do not succeed, and of a hundred thousand francs if you do succeed. I want you to find my son after my death.”(SSG …show more content…

The main character Mathilde who is extremely pretty is not a wealthy person, and is married to a clerk. Mathilde is very unhappy with her life, and wishes she could have more luxuries. The author says: “she dressed plainly because she could not dress well, but she was unhappy as if she had really fallen from a higher station; since with women there is neither caste nor rank, grace and charm take the place of family and birth. Natural ingenuity, instinct for what is elegant, a supple mind are their sole hierarchy, and often make of women of the people of the equals of the very greatest ladies.”(SSG 92.) Mathilde Loisel, was not honest with herself. She did not accept her existence. She sought an aesthetically pleasing lifestyle, and felt that she would give anything, even her life to have it. Since, she did not realize the fact that she had a loving husband and a secure lifestyle. She was not happy with her surroundings and possessions. She felt secure to have such beauty and grace with no class to go with it. She dreamt of things that were simply not meant for her and she overlooked the things she

Show More
Related
685 Words | 3 Pages

With no regular school to attend and no home to spend time in, it’s no mystery that I should have been drawn to these two kind and generous women”. Wakatsuki’s explanation shows the importance of this section because it shows how people find their own interests when they are not being controlled and it also shows that people often rely on religion to help them when they are in desperate situations. Finally, Wakatsuki tells the readers the reaction she and her family show when Papa returns to them after ten months. When Papa returns, he looks a lot older and he has a cane. The authors use reflection to show the distinction between her father before and after being imprisoned.

Read More
153 Words | 1 Pages

I am writing this letter to provide insight regarding the character and moral fiber of Michael K. Beeson for consideration fo the North Junior Football League, Ken Cgaig Award. As a student at Shadow Ridge Middle School, Michael consistently demonstrates the criteria exemplified by candidates for the Ken Craig Award. Michael attends school punctually, cordially, and prepared for any academic challenges he may face. In the rare instances when Michael has sought further clarification on assignments, he effectively seeks out and uses the additional information to produce high level academic work.

Read More
1404 Words | 6 Pages

For every one hundred thousand men, approximately thirty-six thousand and nine hundred will be diagnosed with some form of cancer and two hundred and eight of those cases will be completely fatal (National Cancer Institute). The statistics of cancer to many are terrifying, especially those affected in some way. Reactions vary from person to person when presented with such a murderer 's disease, whether they themselves are suffering or someone they care about is suffering. Many ideas are shared about cancer and much research is done but in simplicity, cancer is “any evil condition or thing that spreads destructively” (Dictionary.com). Although it is not only the sufferers of the disease suffering horribly but the loved ones in their lives too,

Read More
468 Words | 2 Pages

Literary Device #7 - Diction Diction: “the choice of words and style of expression that an author makes and uses” Example: “Her children gone, her husband one year dead, / Toying with plots to kill time and re-wed / Illusions of lost opportunity” (18-20). Kay, “Pathedy of Manners” Function: Context: “Pathedy of Manners” by Ellen Kay is about a woman and her experiences in life. The woman is now forty-three years old and is in the latter half of her life. After her husband dies, she becomes bored of her current state and starts to think about what she should do in the future. She also dreams about what she could have done that she did not do in the past.

Read More
804 Words | 4 Pages

In this scene, the man recalls the final conversation he had with his wife, the boy’s mother. She expresses her plans to commit suicide, while the man begs her to stay alive. To begin, the woman’s discussion of dreams definitively establishes a mood of despair. In the

Read More
243 Words | 1 Pages

De Maupassant's “The Necklace” characterizes Mathilde Loisel, the main character, as a beautiful, egotistic woman who desires only wealthy apparel. He emphasizes the negative results of narcissism by blinding Mathilde with that trait

Read More
831 Words | 4 Pages

She laments that she “remember[s] everything that happened that day [the day she lost herself] because it has happened many times in [her] life. The same innocence, trust, and restlessness, the wonder, fear, and loneliness” (Tan 83). Her belief in fate and individual destiny caused her to

Read More
1326 Words | 6 Pages

Games of hockey are often described as battles between teams, filled with physical contact, aggression, and determination. However, one violent hit that occurred in 1996 continues to affect teams to this day, over twenty years later. Many argue that the biggest factor in the situation was the effect of the player’s personality, specifically the widely-hated one of Claude Lemieux. In spring of 1996, the Detroit Red Wings were playing the Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League’s Western Conference finals. A subtle rivalry previously existed between the two teams, but during Game 6 of the series Claude Lemieux transformed it into one of the biggest rivalries in NHL history.

Read More
785 Words | 4 Pages

(227). Mathilde's dishonest behavior represents her fear of appearing ordinary in front of society, when in fact, taking Madame Forestier’s necklace to appear affluent is an act. Her actions, conversations, and thoughts let readers understand Mathilde's distinct

Read More
754 Words | 4 Pages

In the second paragraph of the story the author states that she is suffering because she doesn't have the things she wants by saying, “She suffered endlessly, feeling herself born for every delicacy and luxury. She suffered from the poorness of her house, from its mean walls, worn chairs, and ugly curtains.” (Guy de Maupassant 2) “She had no clothes, no jewels, nothing. And these were the only things she loved;” (Guy de Maupassant 2) The author included this to let the readers know what kind of “Poverty” Matilde was living in. Mathilde doesn't seem to love her husband as much.

Read More
909 Words | 4 Pages

She is one of the most important characters in the story. The Antagonist is the woman’s role in marriage.

Read More
923 Words | 4 Pages

She was never happy and satisfied with what she had and always daydreamed of large ballrooms… decorated with oriental tapestries and lighted by high bronze floor lamps. She wanted to be the envy of all other women. When her husband gets an invite to the ball she wishes to appear wealthy to the other women at the ball. She borrows a diamond necklace from a wealthy friend, Mme Forestier. At the ball, she becomes pretty, elegant, gracious and smiling than all the other ladies, and she finds herself enjoying the party.

Read More
1107 Words | 5 Pages

Originating in France, ‘The Necklace’ is a short story written by French writer Guy de Maupassant in the late nineteenth century, the period where literary movements realism and naturalism dominated French fiction. Maupassant played an important role in both the realist movement and the naturalist movement through his depiction of the setting as well as the character’s decision. The short story reflects upon the rigid patriarchal society during the late nineteenth century, demonstrating how the wealth of a person can lead to their generosity and greed; thus affecting their lifestyles. Through ‘The Necklace’, Maupassant aims to depict the conflicts between the upper-class and the lower class, how their inner desires vary. This essay will analyze ‘The Necklace’ and how Maupassant uses the social context, characters and literary devices in the short story to illustrate his misogynistic viewpoints towards women.

Read More
1306 Words | 6 Pages

“The Devil” by Guy De Maupassant The short story is about Honore, the farmer, who is forced by the doctor to hire a washerwoman, La Rapet, to look after his ninety- two years old dying mother, Bontemps, while he reaps his corn. After the washerwoman examines the old lady, she predicts to stay with her for 2-3 days till she utters her last breath. She stipulates to get six francs from the farmer for her services and after moments of hesitation and arguing about the price, he grudgingly acquiesces.

Read More
1198 Words | 5 Pages

In this story, Nicolas Ravolati, the villain, “treacherously stabbed” Antoine Saverini, the son of his widowed mother. The widow and her dog, Semillante, both experienced terrible grief afterwards in which lack of sleep and persistent howling became a constant. Both were inconsolable after Antoine’s murder. The loss of a loved one evidently affected both of them in traumatic ways. They were clearly wronged, which is underscored by their strong symptoms of grief.

Read More

More about Guy De Maupassant Character Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document