That is why he died ininsane asylum. third At this time he wrote what many consider his greatest novel, Pierre et Jean (1888). He wrote and himself played (1875) in a comedy - " la feuille de rose, maison turque" - with Flaubert's blessing. ThoughtCo. He would spend the next ten years of his life, serving in this position. . While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Maupassant ever studied Law in Paris. After his graduation, he became a volunteer in the Franco-Prussian War. He was prolific, publishing over 300 short stories and six novels, but died at a young age after ongoing struggles with both physical and mental health. 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. First Name Guy #31. Guy de Maupassant comes from rich family. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of NEWS18.com does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them. This acclaimed French short story writer and novelist was one among 46 Parisian literary and artistic people, who wrote a letter to the Minister of Public Works in Paris in protest of the construction of the Eiffel Tower. His stories strikingly captured various aspects of day-to-day life in France during that time. Between the years 1872 and 1880 Maupassant was a civil servant first at the ministry of maritime affairs then at the ministry of education. He wrote 300 short stories, six novels, three travel books, and one volume of verse. His firsthand experience of war was to provide him with the material for some of his finest stories. Early Life. 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. 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 theme of a working-class person unsuccessfully trying to rise above their station was common in de Maupassant's stories. 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. 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 . 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. Construction of the Eiffel Tower was highly controversial amongst the Parisians. 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. For local insights and insiders travel tips that you wont find anywhere else, search any keywords in the top right-hand toolbar on this page. All rights reserved. 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 ". "[19] He delighted in clever plotting, and served as a model for Somerset Maugham and O. Henry in this respect. Stories like The Necklace (1884), The Horla (1887) and Mademoiselle Fifi (1882) were all written by the noted author who is known for his twist endings and depicting human lives and destinies in pessimistic terms with many of his works being set during the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s. Unfortunately, he has to leave his studies due to he becomes a soldier. A protege of Flaubert, Maupassant's short stories are characterized by their economy of style and their efficient effortless dnouement. Born in 1850 #16. "Biography of Guy de Maupassant, Father of the Short Story." He has written more than 300 short stories, six novels, travel books and also a book of poetry. He cruised on his private yacht Bel-Ami, named after his novel. Construction of the Eiffel Tower was highly controversial amongst the Parisians. His parents separated when he was 11 years old after his mother, Laure Le Poittevin, left his father Gustave de Maupassant. Guy de Maupassant. The reason of it was because of he can not see the Eiffel tower inside the restaurant. However, he was demobilized in 1871. Bel-Ami is drawn from the authors observation of the world of sharp businessmen and cynical journalists in Paris. 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. He refused to undergo treatment, and it eventually affected his mental state. 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. 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. ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/guy-de-maupassant-biography-740701. His first published story, "Boule de Suif" ("The Dumpling", 1880), is often considered his most famous work. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/guy-de-maupassant-biography-740701. 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. They help Maupassant for editing and selecting his collection of stories. His father managed to have him transferred, at his own wish, to the Ministry of Public Instruction in 1879. 3) As a young boy, Maupassant loved nature, which became a theme for many of his stories. http://www.professorguerrero.com/2012/07/necklace-by-guy-de-maupassant-essay-2.html, http://enria.org/society/life-tips-in-the-interpretation-of-guy-de-maupassant. He lived under the care of his mother. Novelist #137442. Many of his stories were based on the Franco-Prussian War and the lives of innocent people who were caught in it. 2) Laure Le Poittevin, Maupassants mother, became the most influential figure in his life. He suffered from mental problems and tried to commit suicide by slitting his throat in 1892. 9) He also wrote under several pseudonyms. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 1) When he was 11, Maupassant's mother risked social disgrace by getting divorced and keeping her two sons. This is our collection of basic interesting facts about De Maupassant. This was especially the lives of those in the middle and lower classes. 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. The following year, his novel, Bel Ami was published. He also wrote six short novels. For classical studies in Institution Leroy-Petit, in Rouen. But de Maupassant's horror fiction is only a small portion of his work, some 39 stories or so. Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) Guy de Maupassant is known as a major practitioner of Naturalism and Realism and an exceptionally fine short story writer. "Was it a Dream? When asked why, he said it was because it is the only place in Paris were one cannot see the structure. Guy de Maupassant wrote in the Naturalism genre of literature. Facts about Guy de Maupassant will inform you about a famous French writer. He has to fight in the Franco-Prussian War. Guy de Maupassant. This was until illness struck Maupassant down. Flaubert characterized it as "a masterpiece that will endure". The fact lists are intended for research in school, for college students or just to feed your brain with new realities. He is generally considered Frances greatest master of the short story. 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 such as Joseph Prunier, Guy de Valmont, and Maufrigneuse. All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved. Maupassant suffered syphilis when he was 20 years old. Feminists now analyze the patriarchy's origin - a sys It was written to the Minister of Public Works. He delighted in clever plotting and his style of writing influenced Somerset Maugham and O. Henry. His magnum opus, 'Boule de Suif' is widely revered as one of his best short stories. He later attended the Institution Leroy-Petit, in Rouen, a private school. He is one of the fathers of the modern short story. He composed verses that deplored the ecclesiastical atmosphere, its ritual and discipline. Guy de Maupassant was probably born at the Chteau de Miromesniel, Dieppe on August 5, 1850. He devoted much of his spare time to swimming and to boating expeditions on the Seine. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. He would lecture Maupassant on prose style and correct his youthful literary exercises. The following year, his book of short stories titled, Mademoiselle Fifi' was published. Guy de Maupassant was a 19th-century French author who wrote more than 300 short stories. Looking for interesting Paris facts? Guy de Maupassant: Biography, Quotes & Facts. 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". In 1871, he left Normandy and moved to Paris, where he spent ten years as a clerk in the Navy Department. Until the age of thirteen, Guy lived happily with his mother, at tretat in Normandy. In 1880 he published what is considered his first masterpiece, "Boule de Suif", which met with instant and tremendous success. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. 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. Photo by Nadar. (2020, August 28). Happy travels! 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. French writer Guy de Maupassant is famous for his short stories, which paint a fascinating picture of French life in the 19th century. 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. His passion of writing is visible from his letter-writing during he serves as soldier. This short story was made into an opera named, The Greater Good in 2006. Guy de Maupassant was born on August 5, 1850, in the Normandy region of France.