guy de maupassant interesting facts guy de maupassant interesting facts

He wrote 300 short stories, six novels, three travel books, and one volume of verse. At Flaubert's home he met mile Zola (1840-1902) and the Russian novelist Ivan Turgenev (1818-1883), as well as many of the proponents of the realist and naturalist schools. Maupassant would go on to develop a fear of death and paranoia of persecution caused by the syphilis he had contracted in his youth. Maupassant volunteered, served first as a private in the field, and was later transferred through his fathers intervention to the quartermaster corps. The fact that his brother died at an early age of the same disease suggests that it might have been congenital. William Saroyan wrote a short story about Maupassant in his 1971 book, Letters from 74 rue Taitbout or Don't Go But If You Must Say Hello To Everybody. His stories are second only to Shakespeare in their inspiration of movie adaptations with films ranging from Stagecoach, Oyuki the Virgin and Masculine Feminine.[21]. Maupassant published some 300 short stories, six novels, three travel books, and his only volume of verse. During his apprenticeship with Flaubert, Maupassant published one or two stories under a pseudonym in obscure provincial magazines. The turning point came in April 1880, the month before Flauberts death. Discover Walks contributors speak from all corners of the world - from Prague to Bangkok, Barcelona to Nairobi. Photo by Nadar.WIKIMEDIA, Guy de Maupassant. Possible use cases are in quizzes, differences, riddles, homework facts legend, cover facts, and many more. La Parure (The Necklace) is the best-loved stories of him. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Maupassant's story, Boule de suif ("Ball of Fat"), was not only by far the best of the six, it is probably the finest story he ever wrote. He was an author of the naturalist and realist schools of writing and is best known for his short stories, which are considered highly influential on much of modern literature. In 1880, his acclaimed short story, Boule de Suif' was published. Maupassant and Flaubert both . Early Life. During this time his only recreation and relaxation were boating on Sundays and holidays. Whether you want to learn the history of a city, or you simply need a recommendation for your next meal, Discover Walks Team offers an ever-growing travel encyclopaedia. Maupassant also wrote under several pseudonyms such as Joseph Prunier, Guy de Valmont, and Maufrigneuse. Guy de Maupassant learned in his early 20s that he had syphilis, which was then a frightening and widespread malady. Laure sent her son to make Flauberts acquaintance at Croisset in 1867, and when he returned to Paris after the war, she asked Flaubert to keep an eye on him. [Quoted from the track "The Questor Affair" from the album, Last edited on 28 February 2023, at 13:11, List of Short Stories by Guy de Maupassant, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, "Maupassant's Apprenticeship with Flaubert", "Lyce Pierre Corneille de Rouen - History", "Remembering Maupassant | Arts and Entertainment | BBC World Service", "The Writer Who Sparks the Finest Movie Adaptations", Complete list of stories by Guy de Maupassant, Universit McGill: le roman selon les romanciers, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Guy_de_Maupassant&oldid=1142092357, "The Dead Girl (a.k.a. He owes most to Flaubert, from whom he learned to use a concise and measured style and to establish a distance towards the object of narration. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Check out this jaw-dropping list of fun facts about Paris to learn more about this city! This story is one of his most well-known works. Maupassant was one of a fair number of 19th-century Parisians who disliked the Eiffel Tower. [11], In 1867, as he entered junior high school, Maupassant met Gustave Flaubert at Croisset[fr] at the insistence of his mother. ", Rougle, Charles. He served ten years as a clerk in the Navy Department. Henry-Ren-Albert-Guy de Maupassant was the eldest of the two children of Gustave and Laure, born on Aug. 5, 1850 in Dieppe, France. Flauberts sudden and unexpected death in 1880 was a grievous blow to Maupassant. In spite of his lack of enthusiasm for the bureaucracy, his years as a civil servant were the happiest of his life. In it, a prostitute traveling by coach is companionably treated by her fellow French passengers, who are anxious to share her provisions of food, but then a German officer stops the coach and refuses to let it proceed until he has possessed her; the other passengers induce her to satisfy him, and then ostracize her for the rest of the journey. In fact, he and 46 other Parisian literary and artistic notables attached their names to a letter of protest against the tower's construction, written to the Minister of Public Works. He delighted in clever plotting and his style of writing influenced Somerset Maugham and O. Henry. Maupassant ever studied Law in Paris. He suffered from mental problems and tried to commit suicide by slitting his throat in 1892. On February 17, 1884, his short story titled, La Parure' was published in the French newspaper called, 'Le Gaulois'. On his 169th birth anniversary, here's looking at a few interesting facts about the author: When Maupassant was 11 and his brother Herv, 5, his mother, Laure Le Poittevin, risked social disgrace and legally separated from her husband, who was violent towards her. Maupassant was phenomenally promiscuous, and before he was 25 years old his health was being eroded by syphilis. He and 46 other Parisian literary and artistic notables attached their names to a letter of protest. Maupassants story, Boule de suif (Ball of Fat), was not only by far the best of the six, it is probably the finest story he ever wrote. Required fields are marked *. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Guy de Maupassant was born on Aug. 5, 1850, in Normandy; his exact birthplace has never been established. [6] Gustave discovered a certain Jean-Baptiste Maupassant, conseiller-secrtaire to the King, who had been ennobled in 1752. Michel Drach directed and co-wrote a 1982 French biographical film: Guy de Maupassant. As we know that Maupassant lived with his mother and brother after his parent seperated. His subjects include war, the Norman peasantry, the bureaucracy, life on the banks of the Seine, the emotional problems of the different classes, and, ominously, hallucination. 6) Maupassant saved poet Algernon Charles Swinburne from drowning. During the Franco-Prussian war, Maupassant volunteered. Gustave Flaubert is a good friend of Laure Le Poittevin (Maupassants mother). Member, Academy of Fine Arts, Institute of France, 196567. This theme of a working-class person unsuccessfully trying to rise above their station was common in de Maupassant's stories. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Claude Brasseur stars as the titular character. But even these works had significance; Stephen King's famous novel "The Shining" has been compared to Maupassant's "The Inn.". Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. For example, "Une Vie" written by Maupassant, has clearly been influenced by Flaubert's style of writing. Later, as a civil-service employee, he became a protg of Gustave Flaubert. Gene Roddenberry, in an early draft for The Questor Tapes, wrote a scene in which the android Questor employs Maupassant's theory that, "the human female will open her mind to a man to whom she has opened other channels of communications. Flaubert continued to act as his literary godfather. French writer Guy de Maupassant (August 5, 1850-July 6, 1893) wrote short stories such as "The Necklace" and "Bel-Ami" as well as poetry, novels, and newspaper articles. A protege of Flaubert, Maupassant's short stories are characterized by their economy of style and their efficient effortless dnouement. At the Villa des Verguies, between the sea and the luxuriant countryside, he grew very fond of fishing and of outdoor activities. --- Please like and follow ManOfLaBook.com ---. He did not care for the bureaucracy but was not unsuccessful and was several times promoted. He was later admitted into a private mental institute, Esprit Blanche at Passy, in Paris. Additionally, Maupassant also wrote under several pseudonyms, including Joseph Prunier, Guy de Valmont, and Maufrigneuse. In his later years he developed a constant desire for solitude, an obsession for self-preservation, and a fear of death and paranoia of persecution caused by the syphilis he had contracted in his youth. Guy De Maupassant . Henri Ren Albert Guy de Maupassant was a popular 19th-century French writer. Lombardi, Esther. Maupassant is often described as the father of the modern short storya literary form that's more condensed and immediate than the novel. The letter was against the towers construction. Mature life and works of Guy de Maupassant. He died at the age of 42 in Esprit Blanche at Passy, in Paris. His mothers claim that he was born at the Chteau de Miromesnil has been disputed. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Maupassant contracted Syphilis in his youth. Flaubert characterized it as "a masterpiece that will endure". Boule de suif epitomizes Maupassants style in its economy and balance. When Maupassant was 11 and his brother Herv was five, his mother, an independent-minded woman, risked social disgrace to obtain a legal separation from her husband, who was violent towards her. The reason of it was because of he can not see the Eiffel tower inside the restaurant. "[This quote needs a citation] In the script Questor copulates with a woman to obtain information that she is reluctant to impart. Whatever your case, learn the truth of the matter why is De Maupassant so important! [20], Leo Tolstoy used Maupassant as the subject for one of his essays on art: The Works of Guy de Maupassant. He hated to work and spent much of his free time in . His literary education came through his informal apprenticeship to Gustave Flaubert, who was a friend of his mothers. It has been suggested that his brother, Herv, also suffered from syphilis and that the disease may have been congenital. Maupassant was one of six writers, led by Zola, who each contributed a short story on the Franco-German War to a volume called Les Soires de Mdan. [9] From his early education he retained a marked hostility to religion, and to judge from verses composed around this time he deplored the ecclesiastical atmosphere, its ritual and discipline. The decade from 1880 to 1891 was the most fertile period of Maupassant's life. In the autumn of 1869 he began law studies in Paris, which were interrupted by the outbreak of the Franco-German War. Maupassant is considered a father of the modern short story. Author E. Renouar on Wikimedia. Mathilde always felt like she should have been born to the upper class and is unhappy in her married life, hating their home, their food, and her lack of fine clothing and jewelry. After a gruesome suicide attempt in 1891 (he tried to cut his throat),de Maupassant spent the last 18 months of his life in a Paris mental home, the celebrated private asylum of Dr. Espirit Blanche. From 1871, he went to Paris and started working as a clerk in the Navy Department. Whenever Flaubert was staying in Paris, he used to invite Maupassant to lunch on Sundays, lecture him on prose style, and correct his youthful literary exercises. In 1894, he became the subject of Leo Tolstoys book The Works of Guy de Maupassant'. He fathered three children - Honore Lucien Litzelmann, Jeanne Lucienne Litzelmann and Marthe Marguerite Litzelmann. Biography: You Need to Know: Agness Underwood. 8) Maupassants talent and business acumen made him a rich man. Maupassant was one of a fair number of 19th-century Parisians who disliked the Eiffel Tower. Omissions? He devoted much of his spare time to swimming and to boating expeditions on the Seine. Copyright Network18 Media and Investments Ltd 2023. Guy de Maupassant was a 19th-century French author who wrote more than 300 short stories. Many are set during the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s, describing the futility of war and the innocent civilians who, caught up in events beyond their control, are permanently changed by their experiences. He proved a good scholar indulging in poetry and taking a prominent part in theatricals. He moved from Normandy to Paris after the war, and after leaving his clerkship in the French Navy he worked for several prominent French newspapers. With no money for a dowry, she is married to Monsieur Loisel, a clerk from the Board of Education. A protg of Gustave Flaubert, Henri Ren Albert Guy de Maupassant, born on August 5, 1850, he is best remembered as the master of the short story, with around 300 tales to his name. Guy de Maupassant went crazy due to parental mistreatment in spite of "writing about it". The novelist Guy de Maupassant, allegedly hated the Eiffel tower so much that he often ate lunch in the restaurant at its base, the only vantage point from which he could completely avoid glimpsing its looming silhouette. Guy is also well known as, Remembered as one of France's greatest short story writers, de Maupassant penned an 1880 masterpiece titled "Boule de Suif" ("Butterball") and went on to write many other popular stories, including "La Bete a Mait Belhomme . it was probably the finest story he ever wrote. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Guy de Valmont and Joseph Prunier are his pen name. The suicide attempt was believed to be a result of his impaired mental state. Indeed, there can be little doubt that the early years in Paris were the start of his phenomenal promiscuity. He Retained a Marked Hostility to Region at a Tender Age At age thirteen, Maupassant was placed as a day boarder together with his brother in a private school. It was a concise description of a twofold relationship: if Flaubert was the inspiration for Maupassant the writer, he also provided the child of a broken marriage with a foster father. When he was thirteen, he went to learn classical studies at the Yvetot seminary for a brief period. Besides,all European literature influenced his works. "Biography of Guy de Maupassant, Father of the Short Story." Taken together, his stories present a broad, naturalistic picture of French life from 1870 to 1890. He also started working as a contributory editor to the newspapers, Le Figaro, Gil Blas, Le Gaulois and l'Echo de Paris. Maupassant was a civil servant in the period between 1872 and 1880 years. In 1878, he was transferred to the Ministry of Public Instruction. Friedrich Nietzsche's autobiography mentions him in the following text: "I cannot at all conceive in which century of history one could haul together such inquisitive and at the same time delicate psychologists as one can in contemporary Paris: I can name as a sample for their number is by no means small, or to pick out one of the stronger race, a genuine Latin to whom I am particularly attached, Guy de Maupassant.". His passion of writing is visible from his letter-writing during he serves as soldier. Much like Flaubert's paintings, de Maupassant's stories told the plight of the lower classes. Guy de Maupassant. Before his death, Maupassant penned down a phrase in honour of his memory after death. "Art and the Artist in Babel's" Guy de Maupassant".". Guy de Maupassant. The stories were under a pseudonym in obscure provincial magazines. Author Alphonse Libert. Laure Le Poittevin and Gustave de Maupassant are the parents of him. One of his famous short stories, "The Necklace", was imitated with a twist by Maugham ("Mr Know-All", "A String of Beads"). Unfortunately, he has to leave his studies due to he becomes a soldier. Maupassant suffered syphilis when he was 20 years old. Little Maupassant was gaining knowledge and skills from his friends; he improved his gifts and talents, which helped him in his poetry and writing. [18] On 2 January 1892, Maupassant tried to commit suicide by cutting his throat; he was committed to the private asylum of Esprit Blanche at Passy, in Paris, where he died (6 July 1893) from syphilis. When Maupassant was in his early 20s, he discovered that he was suffering from syphilis, one of the most frightening and widespread maladies of the age. Helpful Discussion Questions for 'The Necklace', Biography of Ernest Hemingway, Pulitzer and Nobel Prize Winning Writer, Biography of Kate Chopin, American Author and Protofeminist, Biography of Washington Irving, Father of the American Short Story, A List of Every Nobel Prize Winner in Literature, High School Vocabulary in Context Worksheets, Flash Fiction From Baudelaire to Lydia Davis, Classic British and American Essays and Speeches, Biography of Ray Bradbury, American Author, Life of Wilkie Collins, Grandfather of the English Detective Novel, Biography of Italo Calvino, Italian Novelist, M.A., English Literature, California State University - Sacramento, B.A., English, California State University - Sacramento. This was to indicate noble birth. Made famous by his first short story, he worked methodically and produced two or sometimes four volumes annually. In 1881, he came out with 'La Maison Tellier', his first collection of short stories. He published 2-4 volumes of each year of short stories. Photo by Nadar. Guy de Maupassant wrote in the Naturalism genre of literature. Flaubert characterized it as a masterpiece that will endure. It was followed by short stories such as Deux Amis, Mother Savage, and Mademoiselle Fifi. His parents separated when he was 11 years old and his mother took custody of Guy and his younger brother, and it was her influence that led her sons to . He is buried in Section 26 of the Montparnasse Cemetery, Paris. He told that writing is Maupassants passion. Literary theorist Kornelije Kvas wrote that along "with Chekhov, Maupassant is the greatest master of the short story in world literature. During this time his only recreation and relaxation was boating on the Seine on Sundays and holidays. The French people initially hated the Eiffel Tower for its size and "ugliness". His firsthand experience of war was to provide him with the material for some of his finest stories. His realistic portrayal of life made his books and short stories accessible to those belonging to any social class. The novelist Guy de Maupassant, allegedly hated the Eiffel tower so much that he often ate lunch in the restaurant at its base, the only vantage point from which he could completely avoid glimpsing its looming silhouette. Search. This is our collection of basic interesting facts about De Maupassant. Author Born in France #42. It focuses on detachment, objectivity, and social commentary. Maupassant was born August 5, 1850, near Dieppe, France. Guy de Maupassant, in full Henry-Ren-Albert-Guy de Maupassant, (born August 5, 1850, Chteau de Miromesnil?, near Dieppe, Francedied July 6, 1893, Paris), French naturalist writer of short stories and novels who is by general agreement the greatest French short-story writer. Henri Ren Albert Guy de Maupassant (Aug 5, 1850 - Jul 6, 1893) was a popular French author who wrote under the pen name Guy de Maupassant.He is considered one of the fathers of the modern short story as well as one of its finest practitioners. 3) As a young boy, Maupassant loved nature, which became a theme for many of his stories. Guy de Maupassant Henri Ren Albert Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) is the most celebrated of French short-story writers. His work was admired by his contemporaries and imitated by those who came after him. Henri Ren Albert Guy de Maupassant (UK: /mops/,[1][2] US: /mopsnt, mops/;[2][3][4][5] French:[i d() mopas]; 5 August 1850 6 July 1893) was a 19th-century French author, remembered as a master of the short story form, as well as a representative of the Naturalist school, who depicted human lives, destinies and social forces in disillusioned and often pessimistic terms. Head, Programme Contracts Department, British Broadcasting Corporation, London, 195969. That is why he died ininsane asylum. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Bel-Ami, novel by Guy de Maupassant, published in 1885. Guy De Maupassant Popularity . "Biography of Guy de Maupassant, Father of the Short Story." In fact, he tried to commit suicide by cutting his throat on January 2, 1892 and was committed to the private asylum of Esprit Blanche at Passy, in Paris. This is unfortunately what happened to de Maupassant. Isaac Babel wrote a short story about him, Guy de Maupassant. It appears in The Collected Stories of Isaac Babel and in the story anthology Youve Got To Read This: Contemporary American Writers Introduce Stories that Held Them in Awe. Maupassant is considered a father of the modern short story. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Who Is Dilbert Cartoonist Scott Adams? Collections of short stories and novels followed one another in quick succession. He first gained attention with Boule de Suif (1880; Ball of Fat), probably his finest story. Guy de Maupassant. In 1868 he was sent to the Lyce Pierre-Corneille in Rouen. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. Corrections? He is generally considered Frances greatest master of the short story. Facts about Guy de Maupassant 2: His family From his early education, Guy de Maupassant retained a marked hostility to religion. Henri-Ren-Albert-Guy de Maupassant, born on 5 August 1850 at the late 16th-century Chteau de Miromesnil (near Dieppe in the Seine-Infrieure (now Seine-Maritime) department in France), was the first son of Laure Le Poittevin and Gustave de Maupassant, who both came from prosperous bourgeois families. His writing career was short-lived but extremely prolific; between 1880 and 1890 he. Between the years 1872 and 1880 Maupassant was a civil servant, first at the ministry of maritime affairs . Lets look at the Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Guy de Maupassant. What is Guy de Maupassant best known for? Mathilde loses the necklace and works the rest of her life to pay for it, only discovering years later that it was a worthless piece of costume jewelry. Maupassant would go on to develop a fear of death and paranoia of persecution caused by the syphilis he had contracted in his youth. Omissions? In October 1868, at the age of 18, he saved the famous poet Algernon Charles Swinburne from drowning off the coast of tretat.[14]. His mother urged her husband when they married in 1846 to obtain the right to use the particule or form "de Maupassant" instead of "Maupassant" as his family name, in order to indicate noble birth. Maupassants mother sent him to make Flauberts acquaintance at Croisset in 1867. when he returned to Paris after the war, she asked Flaubert to keep an eye on him. Guy de Maupassant's "Two Friends" takes place in January 1871, toward the end of the Franco-Prussian (or Franco-German) War. He cruised on his private yacht Bel-Ami, named after his novel. 1) When he was 11, Maupassants mother risked social disgrace by getting divorced and keeping her two sons. At this time he wrote what many consider his greatest novel, Pierre et Jean (1888). We may all come from different walks of life but we have one common passion - learning through travel. His law studies were interrupted by the Franco-Prussian War; his experience as a volunteer provided him with material for some of his best works. 10) Among many other Parisians, Maupassant didnt care for the Eifel Tower. Who is Guy De Maupassant: Guy De Maupassant is a famous Novelist. He was prolific, publishing over 300 short stories and six. The story was met with instant and tremendous success. Guy de Maupassant, (born Aug. 5, 1850, Chteau de Miromesnil?, near Dieppe, Francedied July 6, 1893, Paris), French writer of short stories. His father managed to have him transferred, at his own wish, to the Ministry of Public Instruction in 1879. Astrological Sign: Leo, Death Year: 1893, Death date: July 6, 1893, Death City: Paris, Death Country: France, Article Title: Guy de Maupassant Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/guy-de-maupassant, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: April 13, 2019, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. His first published story, "Boule de Suif" ("The Dumpling", 1880), is often considered his most famous work. Facts about Guy de Maupassant will inform you about a famous French writer. This was especially the lives of those in the middle and lower classes. In 1868, when he was eighteen, he saved the life of poet Algernon Charles Swinburne, rescuing the latter from drowning off the coast of Etretat. NEVEUX "I entered literary life as a meteor, and I shall leave it like a thunderbolt." These words of Maupassant to Jose Maria de Heredia on the occasion of a memorable meeting are, in spite of their morbid solemnity, not an inexact summing up of the brief career during which, for ten years, the writer, by turns undaunted and sorrowful, with the fertility . There aremany amazing work which was made by Maupassant in 10 years, includingseveral non-fiction books,300 short stories, and six novels. As soon as Boule de suif was published, Maupassant found himself in demand by newspapers. Maupassants story, Boule de suif (Ball of Fat), was not only by far the best of the six. Guy de Maupassant (5 August, 1859 6 July, 1893) was a French writer and a master of short stories. Lombardi, Esther. The team was led by Zola. He would lecture Maupassant on prose style and correct his youthful literary exercises. However, he had never loved working, all his free time Maupassant spent in women pursuit. Flaubert used to invite Maupassant on lunch on Sundays when staying in Paris. He has written more than 300 short stories, six novels, travel books and also a book of poetry. His subsequent short stories include, 'Deux Amis' and Mother Savage'. French writer Guy de Maupassant (August 5, 1850July 6, 1893) wrote short stories such as "The Necklace" and "Bel-Ami" as well as poetry, novels, and newspaper articles.