He moved to the lyce at Le Havre and passed his baccalaureate the following year. 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 was born on August 5, 1850 and his birthplace is France. Maupassant would go on to develop a fear of death and paranoia of persecution caused by the syphilis he had contracted in his youth. The other facts about him will be explained below. 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. Additionally, Maupassant also wrote under several pseudonyms, including Joseph Prunier, Guy de Valmont, and Maufrigneuse. He resumed his law studies in Paris. Lets look at the Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Guy de Maupassant. 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. When he was thirteen, he went to learn classical studies at the Yvetot seminary for a brief period. At the Villa des Verguies, between the sea and the luxuriant countryside, he grew very fond of fishing and of outdoor activities. His work was admired by his contemporaries and imitated by those who came after him. He composed verses that deplored the ecclesiastical atmosphere, its ritual and discipline. He also introduced him to some of the leading writers of the time, such as mile Zola, Ivan Turgenev, Edmond Goncourt, and Henry James. Guy de Maupassant was probably born at the Chteau de Miromesniel, Dieppe on August 5, 1850. It was in the latters home that he met many writers, including Emile Zola and Ivan Turgenev. The author also wrote six novels, three travel books and one volume of verse. (2020, August 28). it was probably the finest story he ever wrote. His stories strikingly captured various aspects of day-to-day life in France during that time. 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. The story is particularly known for its surprising ending. Laure Le Poittevin and Gustave de Maupassant are the parents 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. His friendship with the Goncourts was of short duration; his frank and practical nature reacted against the ambiance of gossip, scandal, duplicity, and invidious criticism that the two brothers had created around them in the guise of an 18th-century style salon. Unfortunately, in his 20s he began to suffer from syphilis, which caused him much mental agony and trouble for the rest of his living years. The following year, his book of short stories titled, Mademoiselle Fifi' was published. Indeed, "Une Vie" (Maupassant) is very similar in terms of structure and narrative style to "Madame Bovary" (Flaubert), both centering around a woman who is unhappy and unsatisfied with her life. 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. Maupassant was phenomenally promiscuous, and before he was 25 years old his health was being eroded by syphilis. The famous writer was a friend of Maupassant's mother's friend and introduced his protg to mile Zola Ivan Turgenev and Henry James. 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. 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]. Guy de Maupassant and "The Necklace" Background Literary Devices Themes The Deceptiveness of Appearances The reality of Mathilde's situation is that she is neither wealthy nor part of the social class of which she feels she is a deserving member, but Mathilde does everything in her power to make her life appear different from how it is. Member, Academy of Fine Arts, Institute of France, 196567. Guy de Maupassant: Biography, Quotes & Facts. The hero of Bel-Ami ("Good Friend"), Georges Duroy, arrives in Paris as an innocent from the provinces, but in realizing the ascendant power of journalism, rapidly apprehends (and . The letter was against the towers construction. He suffered from mental problems and tried to commit suicide by slitting his throat in 1892. Maupassant is considered a father of the modern short story. 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, 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. Maupassant penned his own epitaph: "I have coveted everything and taken pleasure in nothing.. However, his law studies were interrupted in 1871 when he volunteered for the army during the Franco-Prussian War. Flaubert continued to act as his literary godfather. Guy de Maupassant Henri Ren Albert Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) is the most celebrated of French short-story writers. [8] She was an exceptionally well-read woman and was very fond of classical literature, particularly Shakespeare. Your email address will not be published. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. In the autumn of 1869, he began law studies in Paris. third In 1887, he came out with the short horror story titled, Le Horla'. In 1867, he began high school, during which time he became friendly with French writer, Gustave Flaubert. Please check our Privacy Policy. It was through Flaubert that de Maupassant became familiar with (and part of) the naturalist school of writers, a style that would permeate nearly all of his stories. When asked why, he said it was because it is the only place in Paris were one cannot see the structure. Please note that this site uses cookies to personalise content and adverts, to provide social media features, and to analyse web traffic. Remembering Maupassant | Arts and Entertainment | BBC World Service 1) When he was 11, Maupassant's mother risked social disgrace by getting divorced and keeping her two sons. The themes were such as war, prostitution, life in provincial France, religion, marriage, and infidelity. Maupassant contracted Syphilis in his youth. Remembering Maupassant - Guy de Maupassant lived a short but highly productive life and his short stories and novels are still among the most widely read of French literature. Updates? CNN name, logo and all associated elements and 2023 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. It makes side effect of him such as insanity. Corrections? He would lecture Maupassant on prose style and correct his youthful literary exercises. Check out this jaw-dropping list of fun facts about Paris to learn more about this city! Additionally, He often ate lunch in the restaurant at its base. He was also romantically involved with a woman named, Josephine Litzelmann. Unfortunately, he has to leave his studies due to he becomes a soldier. Some critics have charted his developing mental illness through the subject matter of his stories. During this time his only recreation and relaxation were boating on Sundays and holidays. What is Guy de Maupassant best known for? In the autumn of 1869 he began law studies in Paris, which were interrupted by the outbreak of the Franco-German War. Famous Birthdays. Guy de Maupassant, (born Aug. 5, 1850, Chteau de Miromesnil?, near Dieppe, Francedied July 6, 1893, Paris), French writer of short stories. His stories strikingly captured various aspects of day-to-day life in France during that time. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Maupassant was the elder of the two children of Gustave and Laure de Maupassant. Famous novelist Guy de Maupassant, hated the tower, but still went to its restaurant every day. In 1878, he was transferred to the Ministry of Public Instruction. 3) As a young boy, Maupassant loved nature, which became a theme for many of his stories. After the separation, Laure Le Poittevin kept her two sons. Naturalism, like Realism, tends to portray characters and settings that could exist in the real world and the plotlines are plausible. He was later admitted into a private mental institute, Esprit Blanche at Passy, in Paris. q&a; trivia; popular; trending; random; Guy De Maupassant. 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. 9) He also wrote under several pseudonyms. Guy de Maupassant was a 19th-century French author who wrote more than 300 short stories. In 1880 he published what is considered his first masterpiece, "Boule de Suif", which met with instant and tremendous success. Guy de Maupassant | Biography, Quotes & Facts - Study.com Guy De Maupassant | Encyclopedia.com He later attended the Institution Leroy-Petit, in Rouen, a private school. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 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. Widely regarded as the Father of Modern Short Story writing, Guy de Maupassant was one of the greatest French writers in the 19th century. 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. During this time his only recreation and relaxation was boating on the Seine on Sundays and holidays. His 300 stories were written in the naturalist style and often described the life of the lower and middle classes. His father came to his assistance again and obtained a post for him in the Ministry of Marine, which was intended to support him until he qualified as a lawyer. Henri Rene Albert Guy de Maupassant was born in Tourville-sur-Arques, France. 5) In junior high school and high-school he was proven to be a good student. In 1880, Flaubert published one of his most famous short stories "Boule du Suif," about a prostitute pressured to provide her services to a Prussian officer. Maupassant penned his own epitaph: "I have coveted everything and taken pleasure in nothing." At some point in his 20s, de Maupassant contracted syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease that, if left untreated, leads to mental impairment. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. All Rights Reserved. Guy de Maupassant - Biography and Works. Search Texts, Read Online Guy De Maupassant: Biography, Facts & Style | StudySmarter He traveled extensively in Algeria, Italy, England, Brittany, Sicily, and the Auvergne, and from each voyage brought back a new volume. Biography: You Need to Know: Agness Underwood. Biography of Guy de Maupassant, Father of the Short Story. The fact that his brother died at an early age of the same disease suggests that it might have been congenital. .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? For example, "Une Vie" written by Maupassant, has clearly been influenced by Flaubert's style of writing. Lombardi, Esther. 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. Here are 5 of the best facts about De Maupassant The Necklace and De Maupassant Guy I managed to collect. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Maupassant was a protg of Gustave Flaubert and his stories are characterized by economy of style and efficient, seemingly effortless dnouements. Although the Maupassants were a free-thinking family, Guy received his first education from the church and at age 13 was sent to a small seminary at Yvetot that took both lay and clerical pupils. Henri-Ren-Albert-Guy de Maupassant was born on August 5, 1850. 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. But de Maupassant's horror fiction is only a small portion of his work, some 39 stories or so. Maupassant volunteered, served first as a private in the field, and was later transferred through his fathers intervention to the quartermaster corps. Both parents came of Norman families, the fathers of the minor aristocracy, but the marriage was a failure, and the couple separated permanently when Guy was 11 years old. WIKIMEDIA. [6] He then obtained from the Tribunal Civil of Rouen by decree dated 9 July 1846 the right to style himself "de Maupassant" instead of "Maupassant", and this was his surname at the birth of his son Guy in 1850.[7]. 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. In spite of his lack of enthusiasm for the bureaucracy, his years as a civil servant were the happiest of his life. Maupassant also wrote under several pseudonyms, including "Joseph Prunier", "Guy de Valmont", and "Maufrigneuse" (which he used from 1881 to 1885). 10 Interesting Facts about Guy de Maupassant In 1880, his acclaimed short story, Boule de Suif' was published. The decade from 1880 to 1891 was the most fertile period of Maupassant's life. Maupassant and Flaubert both . [20], Leo Tolstoy used Maupassant as the subject for one of his essays on art: The Works of Guy de Maupassant. After his graduation, he became a volunteer in the Franco-Prussian War. Much like Flaubert's paintings, de Maupassant's stories told the plight of the lower classes. 10) Among many other Parisians, Maupassant didnt care for the Eifel Tower. The French people initially hated the Eiffel Tower for its size and "ugliness". When he was eleven years old, his mother separated from his father. Maupassants story, Boule de suif (Ball of Fat), was not only by far the best of the six. His paternal ancestors were noble, and his maternal grandfather Paul Le Poittevin was the artist Gustave Flaubert's godfather. He also wrote six short novels. Guy de Maupassant Biography, Quotes, Works and Writings - ReadCentral.com However, his studies were interrupted by the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/guy-de-maupassant-4806.php. On 2 January 1892, Maupassant tried to commit suicide by cutting his throat. On February 17, 1884, his short story titled, La Parure' was published in the French newspaper called, 'Le Gaulois'. Facts about Guy de Maupassant 2: His family This is unfortunately what happened to de Maupassant. 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. One of his famous short stories, "The Necklace", was imitated with a twist by Maugham ("Mr Know-All", "A String of Beads"). Some of the best-known authors for whom Maupassant was an inspiration include W. Somerset Maugham, O. Henry, and Henry James. Photo by Nadar. 3) As a young boy, Maupassant loved nature, which became a theme for many of his stories. Henry James's "Paste" adapts another story of his with a similar title, "The Jewels". Flaubert took young Guy as a kind of protege, introducing him to significant writers of the day such as Emile Zola and Ivan Turgenev. From his early education, Guy de Maupassant retained a marked hostility to religion. 1) When he was 11, Maupassants mother risked social disgrace by getting divorced and keeping her two sons. Author Born in France #42. It has been suggested that his brother, Herv, also suffered from syphilis and that the disease may have been congenital. In 1868 he was sent to the Lyce Pierre-Corneille in Rouen. Sattar, Atia. Guy de Maupassant studied law and served in the military during the Franco-German War. From 1870-71, Guy de Maupassant served in the French Army. This was the first of his stories that was cantered on the Franco-Prussian War. In recent years, feminism has a profound impact not only on the family's sociology, but also on other areas of social cognition. Guy de Maupassant. He also wrote under various pen names - Guy de Valmont and Joseph Prunier. Best Known For: The short stories of writer Guy de Maupassant detail many aspects of French life in the 19th century. He was very devoted to his mother, who was a well-read woman with a passion for classical literature. His father managed to have him transferred, at his own wish, to the Ministry of Public Instruction in 1879. Maupassant is considered a father of the modern short story. Author Alphonse Libert. This is our collection of basic interesting facts about De Maupassant. Many of his stories were based on the Franco-Prussian War and the lives of innocent people who were caught in it. Perhaps his best-known work, "The Necklace," tells the story of Mathilde, a working-class girl who borrows a necklace from a wealthy friend when she attends a high society party. Guy de Maupassant Birth Anniversary: Interesting Facts About the He did not care for the bureaucracy but was not unsuccessful and was several times promoted. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. 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. The Franco-Prussian War broke out soon after his graduation from college in 1870; he enlisted as a volunteer. Maupassant contributed a short story on the Franco-Prussian war to a volume called Les Soires de Mdan. 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. He wrote 300 short stories, six novels, three travel books, and one volume of verse. Maupassant also wrote under several pseudonyms such as Joseph Prunier, Guy de Valmont, and Maufrigneuse. 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 is generally considered Frances greatest master of the short story. In October 1868, at the age of 18, he saved the famous poet Algernon Charles Swinburne from drowning off the coast of tretat.[14]. Guy de Maupassant Facts & Worksheets - KidsKonnect Looking for interesting Paris facts?
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