Guy de Maupassant. This was not out of preference for the food but because it was only there that he could avoid seeing it. He has to fight in the Franco-Prussian War. Zola described the young Maupassant as a terrific oarsman able to row fifty miles on the Seine in a single day for pleasure. Maupassant was a passionate lover of the sea and of rivers, which accounts for the setting of much of his fiction and the prevalence in it of nautical imagery. His parents Laure Le Poittevin and Gustave de Maupassant were both from affluent families. 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. We have talked facts about Gay de Maupassant. ", Rougle, Charles. He would lecture Maupassant on prose style and correct his youthful literary exercises. 8) Maupassants talent and business acumen made him a rich man. Guy de Maupassant studied law and served in the military during the Franco-German War. Guy de Maupassant is considered one of the finest short-story writers of all time and a champion of the realistic approach to writing. One of his famous short stories, "The Necklace", was imitated with a twist by Maugham ("Mr Know-All", "A String of Beads"). 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. When he was thirteen, he went to learn classical studies at the Yvetot seminary for a brief period. Leo Tolstoy used Maupassant as the subject for one of his essays on art, The Works of Guy de Maupassant. CNN name, logo and all associated elements and 2023 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. Guy de Maupassant. 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. Maupassant contributed a short story on the Franco-Prussian war to a volume called Les Soires de Mdan. 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. Best Known For: The short stories of writer Guy de Maupassant detail many aspects of French life in the 19th century. Even though his writing career spanned barely a decade, Flaubert was prolific, writing some 300 short stories, three plays, six novels, and hundreds of newspaper articles. Explore the life of Guy de Maupassant, the influences on his . The writers were mile Zola, Ivan Turgenev, Edmond Goncourt, and Henry James. His parents were both from prosperous bourgeois families. Between June and September 1887, he authored one his well-known naturalist novels, Pierre et Jean'. Maupassant was one of a fair number of 19th-century Parisians (including Charles Gounod, Alexandre Dumas, fils, and Charles Garnier) who did not care for the Eiffel Tower[15] (erected in 1887-1889). Maupassant was phenomenally promiscuous, and before he was 25 years old his health was being eroded by syphilis. Since the war figures significantly into the story, readers. Flaubert introduced Maupassant to some of the leading writers of the time. Guy de Maupassant was an important French naturalist writer who was most well known for his short stories. He lived under the care of his mother. Fort comme la mort Guy de Maupassant 1975 Car l'amour est fort comme la Mort, la passion inflexible comme le Schol. Lombardi, Esther. Check out this jaw-dropping list of fun facts about Paris to learn more about this city! Author E. Renouar on Wikimedia. From 1871, he went to Paris and started working as a clerk in the Navy Department. He wrote 300 short stories, six novels, three travel books, and one volume of verse. 7) In 1871 Maupassant enlisted as a volunteer in the Franco-Prussian War. Guy de Valmont and Joseph Prunier are his pen name. ThoughtCo. 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 . Gustave Flaubert took him under his protection and acted as a kind of literary guardian to him, guiding his debut in journalism and literature. Author of, Literary and music critic. CNN and the CNN logo are registered marks of Cable News Network, LP LLLP, displayed with permission. His subsequent short stories include, 'Deux Amis' and Mother Savage'. Gustave Flaubert is a good friend of Laure Le Poittevin (Maupassants mother). 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. He devoted his spare time to writing novels and short stories. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. A protege of Flaubert, Maupassant's short stories are characterized by their economy of style and their efficient effortless dnouement. Henry James's "Paste" adapts another story of his with a similar title, "The Jewels". 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. The Necklace is an ironic story about the distinction between appearance versus reality, written by Guy de Maupassant in 1884. The suicide attempt was believed to be a result of his impaired mental state. Maupassant was born August 5, 1850, near Dieppe, France. He traveled extensively in Algeria, Italy, England, Brittany, Sicily, and the Auvergne, and from each voyage brought back a new volume. 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. His second novel, Bel-Ami, which came out in 1885, had thirty-seven printings in four months. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/guy-de-maupassant-biography-740701. In 1890, he authored the short story 'L'Inutile Beaut. His passion of writing is visible from his letter-writing during he serves as soldier. Boule de suif (Ball of Fat) is regarded as his best story, while the best known is La Parure (The Necklace). Besides,all European literature influenced his works. He has to fight in the Franco-Prussian War. third https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/guy-de-maupassant-4806.php. 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.". https://www.thoughtco.com/guy-de-maupassant-biography-740701 (accessed March 4, 2023). 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. He also wrote six short novels. Biography of Guy de Maupassant, Father of the Short Story. He has a brother named Herve. Maupassant was one of a fair number of 19th-century Parisians who disliked the Eiffel Tower. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Quote Of The Day | Top 100 Quotes, See the events in life of Guy De Maupassant in Chronological Order, (French Short Story Writer and Naturalist ). 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. This was especially the lives of those in the middle and lower classes. 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. Made famous by his first short story, he worked methodically and produced two or sometimes four volumes annually. Please check our Privacy Policy. With no money for a dowry, she is married to Monsieur Loisel, a clerk from the Board of Education. His work was admired by his contemporaries and imitated by those who came after him. Maupassant is considered a father of the modern short story. Learn how your comment data is processed. The story was written in the form of journal. In 1883 he finished his first novel, Une Vie (translated into English as A Woman's Life), 25,000 copies of which were sold in less than a year. He published the story in 1880. In 1880 he published what is considered his first masterpiece, "Boule de Suif", which met with instant and tremendous success. His passion of writing is visible from his letter-writing during he serves as soldier. 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. Flauberts sudden and unexpected death in 1880 was a grievous blow to Maupassant. Flaubert took young Guy as a kind of protege, introducing him to significant writers of the day such as Emile Zola and Ivan Turgenev. Biography: You Need to Know: Agness Underwood. Widely regarded as the Father of Modern Short Story writing, Guy de Maupassant was one of the greatest French writers in the 19th century. One hundred and . Possible use cases are in quizzes, differences, riddles, homework facts legend, cover facts, and many more. Fun facts: before fame, family life, popularity rankings, and more. In spite of his lack of enthusiasm for the bureaucracy, his years as a civil servant were the happiest of his life. August 5 Author #6. In 1869 Maupassant started to study law in Paris, but soon, at the age of 20, he volunteered to serve in the army during the Franco-Prussian War. The stories were under a pseudonym in obscure provincial magazines. Maupassant penned his own epitaph: "I have coveted everything and taken pleasure in nothing.. The themes were such as war, prostitution, life in provincial France, religion, marriage, and infidelity. He is one of the fathers of the modern short story. That is why Maupassant is introduced toEmile Zola and Henry James. Guy de Maupassant (French Short Story Writer and Naturalist ) Widely regarded as the 'Father of Modern Short Story' writing, Guy de Maupassant was one of the greatest French writers in the 19th century. Even though he is known for writing he started out by studying law in Paris. Updates? 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. At age thirteen, Maupassant was placed as a day boarder together with his brother in a private school. 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. Guy de Maupassant is regarded as the best French writer of short stories. 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. He was very devoted to his mother, who was a well-read woman with a passion for classical literature. He hated to work and spent much of his free time in . A Life),Bel-Ami (1885),Pierre et Jean (1888),Notre Cur (1890, tr. Guy de Maupassant. We hope this study guide is particularly useful for teachers and students eager to appreciate the nuances of the story. This was the beginning of the apprenticeship that was the making of Maupassant the writer. Your email address will not be published. Unfortunately, their parents divorced when he was 11 years old and his brother was 5 years old. He also started working as a contributory editor to the newspapers, Le Figaro, Gil Blas, Le Gaulois and l'Echo de Paris. That is why he really love and close with his mother. Facts about Guy de Maupassant 2: His family 1) When he was 11, Maupassants mother risked social disgrace by getting divorced and keeping her two sons. He told that writing is Maupassants passion. Corrections? The story is particularly known for its surprising ending. Taken together, his stories present a broad, naturalistic picture of French life from 1870 to 1890. Maupassant also wrote under several pseudonyms such as Joseph Prunier, Guy de Valmont, and Maufrigneuse. He died at the age of 42 in Esprit Blanche at Passy, in Paris. In 1884, his short story La mere Sauvage' and 'La Parure' was published. [12] Next year, in autumn, he was sent to the Lyce Pierre-Corneille in Rouen[13] where he proved a good scholar, indulging in poetry and taking a prominent part in theatricals. Robert de Langeac (de son vrai nom le Pre Augustin Delage), rpondait alors au souhait que lui formulait le clbre thologien Garrigou-Lagrange : " le bien des mes l'emporte plus que votre dsir d'effacement ". Born in 1850 #16. Maupassant is considered a father of the modern short story. All Rights Reserved. Guy de Maupassant was probably born at the Chteau de Miromesniel, Dieppe on August 5, 1850. His paternal ancestors were noble, and his maternal grandfather Paul Le Poittevin was the artist Gustave Flaubert's godfather. He was later admitted into a private mental institute, Esprit Blanche at Passy, in Paris. They help Maupassant for editing and selecting his collection of stories. 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. "Biography of Guy de Maupassant, Father of the Short Story." Construction of the Eiffel Tower was highly controversial amongst the Parisians. The author also wrote six novels, three travel books and one volume of verse. [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. 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. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Looking for interesting Paris facts? Bel-Ami, novel by Guy de Maupassant, published in 1885. He moved to the lyce at Le Havre and passed his baccalaureate the following year. Until the age of thirteen, Guy lived happily with his mother, at tretat in Normandy. Maupassants short stories and books focus on many themes. His mothers claim that he was born at the Chteau de Miromesnil has been disputed. All rights reserved. At this time he wrote what many consider his greatest novel, Pierre et Jean (1888). Guy de Maupassant was born on 5 August 1850 in France. 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. Facts about Guy de Maupassant will inform you about a famous French writer. In the autumn of 1869, he began law studies in Paris. From his early education, Guy de Maupassant retained a marked hostility to religion. When he was eleven years old, his mother separated from his father. "[19] He delighted in clever plotting, and served as a model for Somerset Maugham and O. Henry in this respect. [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. Maupassant also wrote under several pseudonyms, including "Joseph Prunier", "Guy de Valmont", and "Maufrigneuse" (which he used from 1881 to 1885). In 1894, he became the subject of Leo Tolstoys book The Works of Guy de Maupassant'. Photo by Nadar. 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. 2) Laure Le Poittevin, Maupassants mother, became the most influential figure in his 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. Laure Le Poittevin and Gustave de Maupassant are the parents of him. Flaubert characterized it as "a masterpiece that will endure". In 1881 he published his first volume of short stories under the title of La Maison Tellier; it reached its twelfth edition within two years. .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? So, they liked rowing and sailing. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Birth Year: 1850, Birth date: August 5, 1850, Birth City: Dieppe, Birth Country: France. His best novels are considered to be Une Vie (1883, tr. He was also romantically involved with a woman named, Josephine Litzelmann. However, he was committed to the private asylum of Esprit Blanche at Passy, in Paris., where he died on 6 July 1893 from syphilis. Later, as a civil-service employee, he became a protg of Gustave Flaubert. But it was her friend Flaubert who opened doors for the budding young writer. This theme of a working-class person unsuccessfully trying to rise above their station was common in de Maupassant's stories. Your email address will not be published. He is remembered as a master of the short story form. He also authored a travel book titled, La Vie errante'. Hes my disciple and I love him like a son, Flaubert said of Maupassant. This, Maupassant's first piece of short fiction set during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, was followed by short stories such as "Deux Amis", "Mother Savage", and "Mademoiselle Fifi". When . He would spend the next ten years of his life, serving in this position. French writer, Gustave Flaubert played a pivotal role in guiding him through his earlier days in literature and journalism. Omissions? Biography [ edit] Guy de Maupassant at 7 years of age Guy de Maupassant and his mother His father, Gustave de Maupassant, by Hippolyte Bellang 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. Guy de Maupassant Birth Anniversary: Interesting Facts About the Storyteller, Guy de Maupassant 169th birth anniversary. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 10 Interesting Facts about Guy de Maupassant, 10 Interesting Facts about George H. W.Bush, 10 Interesting Facts about Georgia OKeeffe, 10 Interesting Facts about High Blood Pressure, 10 Interesting Facts about Haiti Earthquake. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. On February 17, 1884, his short story titled, La Parure' was published in the French newspaper called, 'Le Gaulois'. During his apprenticeship with Flaubert, Maupassant published one or two stories. The team was led by Zola. A young woman, Mathilde, is born to a low class family. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). He used Maufrigneuse from 1881 to 1885. However, his studies were interrupted by the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War. He is also known as a masterof short stories. From 1870-71, Guy de Maupassant served in the French Army. Soon after graduation, Maupassant served as a volunteer in the Franco-Prussian War, after which he pursued a career as a civil servant working in the Navy Department and the Ministry of Public Instruction. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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 . Flaubert characterized it as a masterpiece that will endure. It was followed by short stories such as Deux Amis, Mother Savage, and Mademoiselle Fifi. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 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. His 300 stories were written in the naturalist style and often described the life of the lower and middle classes. 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. In 1887, he came out with the short horror story titled, Le Horla'. His firsthand experience of war was to provide him with the material for some of his finest stories. He then became a government clerk. 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. Maupassant was the elder of the two children of Gustave and Laure de Maupassant. A Time Warner Company. it was probably the finest story he ever wrote. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Guy-de-Maupassant, New York Review Books - Guy de Maupassant, All Poetry - Biography of Guy de Maupassant, Guy de Maupassant - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/guy-de-maupassant-biography-740701. [10] Finding the place unbearable, he finally got himself expelled in his penultimate year. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Before his death, Maupassant penned down a phrase in honour of his memory after death. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Guy de Maupassant. Maupassant suffered syphilis when he was 20 years old. Hes my disciple and I love him like a son, Flaubert said of Maupassant. Une Vie (1883, tr. The famous writer was a friend of Maupassant's mother's friend and introduced his protg to mile Zola Ivan Turgenev and Henry James. While investigating facts about De Maupassant Novels and De Maupassant Short Stories, I found out little known, but curios details like: Guy de Maupassant ate lunch every day at the base of the Eiffel Tower because he hated the tower and that was the only place in Paris where he wouldn't see it. Here are 5 of the best facts about De Maupassant The Necklace and De Maupassant Guy I managed to collect. Famous Birthdays. He was laid to rest at the Cimetiere du Montparnasse, Paris. Maupassant is often described as the father of the modern short storya literary form that's more condensed and immediate than the novel. 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. 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. He also introduced him to some of the leading writers of the time, such as mile Zola, Ivan Turgenev, Edmond Goncourt, and Henry James. 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.

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