"The Coward." A Short Story Guy de Maupassant

Summary

In 'The Coward,' a short story by Guy de Maupassant, Vicomte de L'Estrapade, known for his charm and prowess in duels, faces an unexpected challenge when a stranger's rude stare at a lady disrupts an evening outing. The ensuing confrontation leads to a duel with pistols, a choice that brings the Vicomte face to face with his own fear and mortality. Unable to bear the thought of potential disgrace, he tragically takes his own life before the duel, leaving behind a testament to his inner turmoil.

Takeaways

• 😎 The protagonist, Vicomte de Laon, is portrayed as a handsome, wealthy, and well-liked man in society, known for his charm and prowess in duels.
• 👀 Vicomte de Laon encounters a rude man, George Lam, who persistently stares at one of the ladies in his company, leading to an altercation at an ice cream parlor.
• 🗣️ Laon demands that George Lam stop his impolite behavior, but is met with a foul word that shocks everyone present, escalating the situation.
• 👊 In response to the insult, Laon slaps George Lam, setting the stage for a formal duel, which is a matter of honor in their society.
• 🔍 Laon spends the night contemplating the duel, considering the choice of weapon and the potential outcomes, revealing his inner turmoil and fear.
• 🤔 Laon's fear and anxiety about the duel intensify, leading him to question his own courage and the consequences of the duel on his reputation.
• 🥃 In an attempt to calm his nerves, Laon drinks heavily, which only exacerbates his fear and makes him realize he cannot go through with the duel.
• 🔫 Laon's desperation leads him to a tragic decision when he discovers a loaded pistol, which he uses to end his life, unable to face the duel.
• 📜 The script ends with the poignant image of Laon's blood staining the paper on which he had begun to write his last will and testament.
• 💔 The story highlights the tragic consequences of societal expectations and the pressure to maintain honor, even at the cost of one's life.
• 📚 The narrative serves as a critique of the dueling culture, showing how it can lead to irrational fear and the ultimate loss of a life that had so much potential.

Q & A

What was Vicomte de Galm's reputation in society?

Vicomte de Galm was known as a handsome and wealthy bachelor with an attractive appearance and manner, who was popular at social events and considered a skilled swordsman and marksman.

What incident at the restaurant led to a potential duel?

Vicomte de Galm confronted a man, George Lam, who was rudely staring at one of the ladies dining with him, which led to a heated exchange and the possibility of a duel.

How did Vicomte de Galm initially react to the confrontation at the restaurant?

Vicomte de Galm was initially indignant and demanded that the man stop his rude behavior, which escalated to the point where he slapped George Lam's face, initiating a formal challenge.

What emotions did Vicomte de Galm experience after the confrontation?

Vicomte de Galm experienced a range of emotions including agitation, fear, and a sense of duty to uphold his honor, which led to him contemplating the upcoming duel.

What did Vicomte de Galm do to prepare for the duel?

He chose seconds, the Marquee de l'Noir and Colonel Bordan, to help arrange the duel, and considered the choice of weapon, ultimately deciding on pistols.

What was Vicomte de Galm's state of mind as the time for the duel approached?

Vicomte de Galm was extremely anxious and fearful, struggling with his emotions and the reality of potentially fighting a duel to the death.

How did Vicomte de Galm attempt to cope with his fear?

He tried to convince himself of his bravery, drank alcohol to seek courage, and even attempted to write a will, but ultimately could not overcome his fear.

What was the significance of the loaded pistol in Vicomte de Galm's final moments?

The loaded pistol represented the imminent danger of the duel and his internal struggle. It was the weapon that ultimately led to his tragic decision to take his own life rather than face the duel.

What was the outcome of Vicomte de Galm's internal conflict?

Unable to reconcile his fear with the societal expectations of bravery, Vicomte de Galm took his own life with the loaded pistol.

What does Vicomte de Galm's story say about the pressures of societal expectations?

The story highlights the intense pressure to maintain honor and reputation in society, which can lead individuals to make desperate decisions to avoid the stigma of cowardice.

How is the theme of fear and courage explored in the script?

The theme is explored through Vicomte de Galm's internal struggle with fear as he contemplates the duel, his attempts to appear brave, and the ultimate realization of his inability to face the duel.