Guy de Maupassant | Biography, Quotes & Facts - Study.com To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. 10) Among many other Parisians, Maupassant didnt care for the Eifel Tower. Guy de Maupassant was probably born at the Chteau de Miromesniel, Dieppe on August 5, 1850. His realistic portrayal of life made his books and short stories accessible to those belonging to any social class. Whatever your case, learn the truth of the matter why is De Maupassant so important! Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). He would spend the next ten years of his life, serving in this position. He was laid to rest at the Cimetiere du Montparnasse, Paris. The Necklace: Themes | SparkNotes Facts about Guy de Maupassant will inform you about a famous French writer. Biography: You Need to Know: Agness Underwood. . He proved a good scholar indulging in poetry and taking a prominent part in theatricals. Member, Academy of Fine Arts, Institute of France, 196567. This life did not prevent him from making friends among the literary celebrities of his day: Alexandre Dumas, fils had a paternal affection for him; at Aix-les-Bains he met Hippolyte Taine (1828-1893) and became devoted to the philosopher-historian. This theme of a working-class person unsuccessfully trying to rise above their station was common in de Maupassant's stories. Unfortunately, he has to leave his studies due to he becomes a soldier. 2) Laure Le Poittevin, Maupassant's mother, became the most influential figure in his life. Facts about Guy de Maupassant 1: His education Maupassant ever studied Law in Paris. 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. At age thirteen, Maupassant was placed as a day boarder together with his brother in a private school. His seminal work, La Parure remains one of his most famous short stories. Guy De Maupassant Popularity . 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. [11], In 1867, as he entered junior high school, Maupassant met Gustave Flaubert at Croisset[fr] at the insistence of his mother. This was the beginning of the apprenticeship that was the making of Maupassant the writer. After the separation, Laure Le Poittevin kept her two sons. Two Friends Analysis - eNotes.com [6] Gustave discovered a certain Jean-Baptiste Maupassant, conseiller-secrtaire to the King, who had been ennobled in 1752. The turning point came in April 1880, the month before Flauberts death. 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. In 1878, he was transferred to the Ministry of Public Instruction. CNN name, logo and all associated elements and 2023 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. third That year, he also came out with a novella, Le Rosier de Madame Husson'. The short stories of writer Guy de Maupassant detail many aspects of French life in the 19th century. . 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. Additionally, Maupassant also wrote under several pseudonyms, including Joseph Prunier, Guy de Valmont, and Maufrigneuse. We hope this study guide is particularly useful for teachers and students eager to appreciate the nuances of the story. When Guy reached the age of thirteen, his mother placed her two sons as day boarders in a private school, the Institution Leroy-Petit, in Rouenthe Institution Robineau of Maupassant's story La Question du Latinfor classical studies. Guy de Maupassant (Author of Bel-Ami) - Goodreads Guy de Maupassant learned in his early 20s that he had syphilis, which was then a frightening and widespread malady. From 1870-71, Guy de Maupassant served in the French Army. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/guy-de-maupassant-biography-740701. How was the French writer, Guy de Maupassant, influenced by - MyTutor [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. He also authored a travel book titled, La Vie errante'. Author E. Renouar on Wikimedia. Indeed, there can be little doubt that the early years in Paris were the start of his phenomenal promiscuity. Guy de Maupassant was born on August 5, 1850, in the Normandy region of France. The same year, he came out with his short story titled, La Ficelle'. 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. They help Maupassant for editing and selecting his collection of stories. Are you interestedto read this article? 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. He has to fight in the Franco-Prussian War. 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. 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. Here are 5 of the best facts about De Maupassant The Necklace and De Maupassant Guy I managed to collect. 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. .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? This was to indicate noble birth. 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. Let's look at the Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Guy de Maupassant 1. Omissions? In the autumn of 1869, he began law studies in Paris. For classical studies in Institution Leroy-Petit, in Rouen. A young woman, Mathilde, is born to a low class family. Maupassant also wrote under several pseudonyms, including "Joseph Prunier", "Guy de Valmont", and "Maufrigneuse" (which he used from 1881 to 1885). It focuses on detachment, objectivity, and social commentary. Bel-Ami is drawn from the authors observation of the world of sharp businessmen and cynical journalists in Paris. 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 . Construction of the Eiffel Tower was highly controversial amongst the Parisians. Explore the life of Guy de Maupassant, the influences on his . Feminists now analyze the patriarchy's origin - a sys Copyright Network18 Media and Investments Ltd 2023. Bel-Ami, novel by Guy de Maupassant, published in 1885. Your email address will not be published. Guy de Maupassant was an important French naturalist writer who was most well known for his short stories. 5) In junior high school and high-school he was proven to be a good student. The story was met with instant and tremendous success. Alternate titles: Henry-Ren-Albert-Guy de Maupassant, Writer. 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 contributed a short story on the Franco-Prussian war to a volume called Les Soires de Mdan. CNN and the CNN logo are registered marks of Cable News Network, LP LLLP, displayed with permission. Author Alphonse Libert. 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. His best novels are considered to be Une Vie (1883, tr. 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. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. [10] Finding the place unbearable, he finally got himself expelled in his penultimate year. Famous novelist Guy de Maupassant, hated the tower, but still went to its restaurant every day. 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. This short story was made into an opera named, The Greater Good in 2006. He is one of the fathers of the modern short story. Flaubert continued to act as his literary godfather. Book Review: The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa. [8] She was an exceptionally well-read woman and was very fond of classical literature, particularly Shakespeare. --- Please like and follow ManOfLaBook.com ---. Guy de Maupassant. 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. Boule de suif epitomizes Maupassants style in its economy and balance. 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. By 1890, the disease had started to cause increasingly strange behavior. Between the years 1872 and 1880 Maupassant was a civil servant, first at the ministry of maritime affairs . This was the beginning of the apprenticeship that was the making of Maupassant the writer. 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. Unfortunately, their parents divorced when he was 11 years old and his brother was 5 years old. 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.". Guy De Maupassant - Trivia, Family, Bio | Famous Birthdays [16] He and forty-six other Parisian literary and artistic notables attached their names to an elaborately irate letter of protest against the tower's construction, written to the Minister of Public Works, and published on 14 February 1887.[17]. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Michel Drach directed and co-wrote a 1982 French biographical film: Guy de Maupassant. During this time his only recreation and relaxation were boating on Sundays and holidays. The Necklace Study Guide - American Literature It was about the story of a journalist in Paris. 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. Guy de Maupassant Birth Anniversary: Interesting Facts About the Guy de Maupassant. Gustave Flaubert took him under his protection and acted as a kind of literary guardian to him, guiding his debut in journalism and literature. The other facts about him will be explained below. "Certain Madness: Guy de Maupassant and Hypnotism". Looking for interesting Paris facts? 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. French writer, Gustave Flaubert played a pivotal role in guiding him through his earlier days in literature and journalism. 8) Maupassants talent and business acumen made him a rich man. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Please note that this site uses cookies to personalise content and adverts, to provide social media features, and to analyse web traffic. Our Hearts) are several example of his best novel. 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. He is buried in Section 26 of the Montparnasse Cemetery, Paris. He used Maufrigneuse from 1881 to 1885. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Maupassant suffered syphilis when he was 20 years old. Flaubert characterized it as "a masterpiece that will endure". He developed a constant desire for solitude, an obsession for self-preservation, a fear of death and paranoia of persecution. ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/guy-de-maupassant-biography-740701. The Franco-Prussian War broke out soon after his graduation from college in 1870; he enlisted as a volunteer. What is Guy de Maupassant best known for? Early Life. Widely regarded as the Father of Modern Short Story writing, Guy de Maupassant was one of the greatest French writers in the 19th century. He has to fight in the Franco-Prussian War. He also wrote under various pen names - Guy de Valmont and Joseph Prunier. Flaubert took young Guy as a kind of protege, introducing him to significant writers of the day such as Emile Zola and Ivan Turgenev. Guy De Maupassant Net Worth, Age, Bio, Birthday, Height, Facts However, his studies were interrupted by the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War. That is why he died ininsane asylum. Esther Lombardi, M.A., is a journalist who has covered books and literature for over twenty years. The author also wrote six novels, three travel books and one volume of verse. 1) When he was 11, Maupassants mother risked social disgrace by getting divorced and keeping her two sons. His parents Laure Le Poittevin and Gustave de Maupassant were both from affluent families. His editor, Havard, commissioned him to write more stories, and Maupassant continued to produce them efficiently and frequently. 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 mothers claim that he was born at the Chteau de Miromesnil has been disputed. Until the age of thirteen, Guy lived happily with his mother, at tretat in Normandy. His passion of writing is visible from his letter-writing during he serves as soldier. Photo by Nadar.WIKIMEDIA, Guy de Maupassant. His stories strikingly captured various aspects of day-to-day life in France during that time. 4) At the age of 13, Maupassant was placed at a private school which he disliked and got himself expelled from. Maupassant was the elder of the two children of Gustave and Laure de Maupassant. Besides,all European literature influenced his works. He first gained attention with Boule de Suif (1880; Ball of Fat), probably his finest story. He is also known as a masterof short stories. His passion of writing is visible from his letter-writing during he serves as soldier. Maupassant would go on to develop a fear of death and paranoia of persecution caused by the syphilis he had contracted in his youth. He also started working as a contributory editor to the newspapers, Le Figaro, Gil Blas, Le Gaulois and l'Echo de Paris. it was probably the finest story he ever wrote. De Maupassant facts - Interesting Facts World Due to complaints from NBC executives, this part of the script was never filmed.[22]. Guy de Maupassant Biography - eNotes.com ThoughtCo. 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. His 300 stories were written in the naturalist style and often described the life of the lower and middle classes. The fact lists are intended for research in school, for college students or just to feed your brain with new realities. He delighted in clever plotting and his style of writing influenced Somerset Maugham and O. Henry. He was born on August 5, 1850 and his birthplace is France. He would lecture Maupassant on prose style and correct his youthful literary exercises. However, his law studies were interrupted in 1871 when he volunteered for the army during the Franco-Prussian War. The following year, he went to the Lyce Pierre-Corneille School, where he took part in drama and became passionate about poetry. Lets look at the Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Guy de Maupassant. The gentleman in the white waistcoat is interesting because he remains nameless and is identified chiefly by this one article of . Corrections? For the full article, see. In 1887, he came out with the short horror story titled, Le Horla'. Leo Tolstoy used Maupassant as the subject for one of his essays on art, The Works of Guy de Maupassant. 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 . In 1871, he left Normandy and moved to Paris, where he spent ten years as a clerk in the Navy Department. But de Maupassant's horror fiction is only a small portion of his work, some 39 stories or so. However, he was committed to the private asylum of Esprit Blanche at Passy, in Paris., where he died on 6 July 1893 from syphilis. Biography of Guy de Maupassant, Father of the Short Story. The suicide attempt was believed to be a result of his impaired mental state. 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. In the next 10 years he published some 300 short stories, six novels, and three travel books. 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. Maupassant's parents separated when he was 11 years old and he went to live with his mother and .