"The Coward." A Short Story Guy de Maupassant
Summary
TLDRIn '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.
Outlines
🏛️ The Duelist's Dilemma
The story introduces Vicomte de Laur, a handsome and wealthy bachelor known for his charm and social grace. He is admired by women and envied by men, having achieved fame as a skilled swordsman and marksman. One evening, while enjoying ice cream with friends, he confronts a man, George Lam, who has been rudely staring at one of the ladies. The confrontation escalates, leading to a public insult and the challenge of a duel. Vicomte de Laur is initially confident, believing in his reputation and skill, but soon finds himself gripped by anxiety and fear as he contemplates the duel and the potential consequences.
🤯 The Grip of Fear
In this paragraph, Vicomte de Laur's inner turmoil is explored as he wrestles with his fear of the impending duel. He experiences a range of emotions, from anger at the situation to a deep sense of unease and dread. Despite his outward resolve to fight, he is haunted by the possibility of his own death and the loss of his social standing. His fear becomes palpable as he paces his room, drinks water to calm his nerves, and struggles to sleep. The paragraph ends with Vicomte de Laur's realization of his own mortality and the stark reality of the duel's life-threatening nature.
🥃 Desperate Measures for Courage
Here, Vicomte de Laur's fear intensifies as he awaits the arrangements for the duel. He tries to assert his resolve by discussing the duel's conditions with his seconds, who are supportive and confident in his shooting abilities. In an attempt to quell his anxiety, he drinks heavily, but this only exacerbates his agitation. His fear becomes overwhelming, leading to physical symptoms such as trembling and a dry mouth. The paragraph concludes with Vicomte de Laur's inability to write his last will and testament, highlighting his loss of control over his emotions and actions.
🔫 The Tragic Resolution
In the final paragraph, Vicomte de Laur's struggle reaches its climax. Unable to bear the thought of the duel and the shame of backing down, he contemplates his options and the potential outcomes. In a moment of despair, he discovers a loaded pistol and, in a desperate act to escape his fear and the impending duel, takes his own life. The paragraph ends with the shocking aftermath, as the valet finds his master dead, with a crimson stain on the will he had attempted to write, symbolizing the tragic end to the story.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Handsome Senol
💡Elegance
💡Duel
💡Pride and Nobility
💡Insult
💡Fear
💡Courage
💡Honor
💡Pistol
💡Death
💡Social Standing
Highlights
Introduction of the protagonist Vicomte de Laubardemont, a handsome and wealthy bachelor with a reputation for charm and skill in dueling.
Description of the incident at the ice cream parlor that leads to a confrontation with an ill-mannered stranger.
The stranger's rudeness and the Vicomte's reaction, which escalates the situation to a potential duel.
The Vicomte's internal conflict and the realization that he is not as fearless as he thought.
The Vicomte's struggle with his emotions, including fear and anger, as he contemplates the upcoming duel.
The decision-making process regarding the choice of weapon for the duel, with the Vicomte leaning towards pistols.
The Vicomte's attempt to maintain his composure and reputation, despite his growing anxiety.
The Vicomte's efforts to find seconds for the duel and the selection of influential figures to support him.
The Vicomte's physical manifestations of fear, such as trembling and an inability to eat or drink.
The Vicomte's attempt to find courage in alcohol, which ultimately fails to alleviate his fear.
The preparation for the duel, including the agreement on the conditions and the selection of a location.
The Vicomte's contemplation of his own mortality and the possibility of death as a result of the duel.
The Vicomte's reflection on his life and the potential loss of his social standing if he shows fear.
The Vicomte's final moments of desperation and his tragic decision to end his life rather than face the duel.
The aftermath of the Vicomte's suicide and the discovery by his valet.
The moral of the story, which reflects on the consequences of pride and the fear of losing honor.
Transcripts
[Music]
the coward a short story by Guy De mopas
in society he was called handsome senol
his name was vicont gon Joseph deol an
orphan and possessed of an ample Fortune
he cut quite a dash as it is called he
had an attractive appearance and manner
could talk well had a certain inborn
Elegance an air of pride and nobility a
good mustache and a tender eye that
always finds favor with women he was in
great request at receptions Walts to
Perfection and was regarded by his own
sex with that smiling hostility accorded
to the popular Society man he had been
suspected of more than one love affair
calculated to enhance the reputation of
a bachelor he lived a happy peaceful
life a life of physical and mental
well-being he had won considerable Fame
as a swordsman and still more as a
marksman when the time comes for me to
fight a duel he said I shall choose
pistols with such a weapon I am sure to
kill my
man one evening having accompanied two
women friends of his with their husbands
to the theater he invited them to take
some ice cream at toron after the
performance they had been seated a few
minutes in the restaurant when senes
noticed that a man was staring
persistently at one of the ladies
she seemed annoyed and lowered her eyes
at last she said to her husband there's
a man over there looking at me I don't
know him do you the husband who had
noticed nothing glanced across at the
offender and said no not in the least
his wife continued half smiling half
angry it's very tiresome he quite spoils
my ice cream the husband Shrugged his
shoulders nonsense don't take any notice
of of him if we were to bother our heads
about all the ill-mannered people we
should have no time for anything
else but the vom abruptly left his seat
he could not allow this insolent fellow
to spoil an ice for a guest of his it
was for him to take cognizance of the
offense since it was through him that
his friends had come to the restaurant
he went across to the man and said sir
you are staring at those ladies in a
manner I cannot permit I must ask you to
desist from your rudess the other
replied let me alone will you take care
sir said the vcom between his teeth or
you will force me to Extreme
Measures the man replied with a single
word a foul word which could be heard
from one end of the restaurant to the
other and which startled everyone there
all those whose backs were toward the
two disputants turned round all the
others raised their heads three waiters
spun round on their heel heels like tops
the two lady cashiers jumped as if shot
then turned their bodies simultaneously
like two autometer worked by the same
spring there was dead silence then
suddenly a sharp crisp sound the vicont
had slapped his adversary's face
everyone Rose to interfere cards were
exchanged when the vicont reached home
he walked rapidly up and down his room
for some minutes he was in a state of
too great agitation to think connectedly
one idea alone possessed him a duel but
this idea aroused in him as yet no
emotion of any kind he had done what he
was bound to do he had proved himself to
be what he ought to be he would be
talked about approved congratulated he
repeated aloud speaking as one does when
under the stress of great mental
disturbance what a brute of a man then
he sat down and began to reflect he
would have to find seconds as soon as
morning came whom should he choose he be
thought himself of the most influential
and best known men of his acquaintance
his choice fell at last on the Marquee
de lour Noir and Kel Bordan a nobleman
and a soldier that would be just the
thing their names would carry weight in
the newspapers he was thirsty and drank
three glasses of water one after another
then he walked up and down again if he
showed himself Brave determined prepared
to face a duel in deadly Earnest his
adversary would probably draw back and
profer excuses he picked up the card he
had taken from his pocket and thrown on
a table he read it again as he had
already read it first at a glance in the
restaurant and afterward on the way home
in the light of each Gas Lamp George Lam
51 Ru
mon that was all he examined closely
this collection of letters which seemed
to him mysterious fraught with many
meanings George Lam who was the man what
was his profession why had he stared so
at the woman was it not monstrous that a
stranger an unknown should thus all at
once upset one's whole life simply
because it had pleased him to stare
rudely at a woman and the vicont once
more repeated aloud what a brute then he
stood motionless thinking his eyes still
fixed on the card anger Rose in his
heart against this scrap of paper a
resentful anger mingled with a strange
sense of uneasiness it was a stupid
business altogether he took up a pen
knife which lay open Within Reach and
deliberately stuck it into the middle of
the printed name as if he were stabbing
someone so he would have to fight should
he choose swords or pistols for he
considered himself as the insulted party
with the sword he would risk less but
with with the pistol there was some
chance of his adversary backing out a
duel with swords is rarely fatal since
Mutual Prudence prevents the combatants
from fighting close enough to each other
for point to enter very deep with
pistols he would seriously risk his life
but on the other hand he might come out
of the affair with flying colors and
without a jewel after all I must be firm
he said the fellow Will Be
Afraid the sound of his own voice
startled him and he looked nervously
around the room he felt unstrung he
drank another glass of water and then
began undressing Preparatory to going to
bed as soon as he was in bed he blew out
the light and shut his eyes I have all
day tomorrow he reflected for setting my
Affairs in order I must sleep now in
order to be calm when the time comes he
was very warm in bed but he could not
succeed in losing consciousness he
tossed and turned remained for 5 minutes
lying on his back then changed to his
left side then rolled over to his right
he was thirsty again and Rose to drink
then a qualm seized him can it be
possible that I am afraid why did his
heart beat so uncontrollably at every
well-known sound in his room when the
clock was about to strike the prefatory
grating of its spring made him start and
for several seconds he panted for breath
so unnerved was he he began to reason
with himself on the possibility of such
a thing could I by any chance be afraid
no indeed he could not be afraid since
he was resolved to proceed to the last
extremity since he was irrevocably
determined to fight without flinching
and yet he was so perturbed in mind and
body that he asked himself is it
possible to be afraid in spite of
oneself and this doubt this fearful
question took possession of him if an
irresistible power stronger than his own
will were to quell his courage what
would happen he would certainly go to
the place appointed his will would force
him that far but supposing when there he
were to tremble or faint and he thought
of his social standing his reputation
his name and he suddenly determined to
get up and look at himself in the glass
he lighted his candle when he saw his
face reflected in the mirror he scarcely
recognized it he seemed to see before
him a man whom he did not know his eyes
looked disproportionately large and he
was very pale he remained standing
before the mirror he put out his tongue
as if to examine the state of his health
and all at once the thought flashed into
his mind at this time the day after
tomorrow I may be dead and his heart
throbbed painfully at this time the day
after tomorrow I may be dead this person
in front of me this I whom I see in the
glass will perhaps be no more what here
I am I look at myself I feel myself to
be alive and yet in 24 hours I may be
lying on that bed with closed eyes dead
cold
inanimate he turned round and could see
himself distinctly lying on his back on
the couch he had just quitted he had the
hollow face face and the limp hands of
death then he became afraid of his bed
and to avoid seeing it went to his
smoking room he mechanically took a
cigar lighted it and began walking back
and forth he was cold he took a step
toward the Bell to wake his valet but
stopped with hand raised toward the Bell
rope he would see that I am afraid and
instead of ringing he made a fire
himself his hands quivered nervously ly
as they touched various objects his head
grew dizzy his thoughts confused
disjointed painful a numbness seized his
Spirit as if he had been drinking and
all the time he kept on saying what
shall I do what will become of me his
whole body trembled spasmodically he
rose and going to the window Drew back
the curtains the day a summer day was
breaking the pink sky cast a glow on the
city its roofs and its walls a flush of
light enveloped the awakened world like
a caress from the Rising Sun and the
glimmer of dawn kindled New Hope in the
breast of the vicont what a fool he was
to let himself succumb to fear before
anything was decided before his seconds
had interviewed those of George Lam
before he even knew whether he would
have to fight or not he bathed dressed
and left the house with a firm step he
repeated as he went I must be firm very
firm I must show that I am not afraid
his seconds the Marquee and the colonel
placed themselves at his disposal and
having shaken him warmly by the hand
began to discuss
details you want a serious jeel asked
the colonel yes quite serious replied
the Von you insist on pistols put in the
Marquee yes do you leave all the other
arrangements in our hands with a dry
jerky voice the vcom answered 20 Paces
at a given signal the arm to be raised
not lowered shots to be exchanged until
one or other is seriously wounded
excellent conditions declared the
colonel in a satisfied tone you are a
good shot all the chances are in your
favor and they parted the vicom returned
home to wait for them his agitation only
temporarily allayed now increased
momentarily he felt in arms legs and
chest a sort of trembling a continuous
vibration he could not stay still either
sitting or standing his mouth was
parched and he made every now and then a
clicking movement of the tongue as if to
detach it from his pallet he attempted
to take luncheon but could not eat then
it occurred to him to seek courage in
drink and he sent for a decanter of rum
of which he swallowed one after another
six small glasses a burning warmth
followed by a deadening of the mental
faculties ensued he said to himself I
know how to manage now it will be all
right but at the end of an hour he had
emptied the decanter and his agitation
was worse than ever a mad longing
possessed him to throw himself on the
ground to bite to scream night fell a
ring at the Bell so unnerved him that he
had not the strength to rise to receive
receive his seconds he dared not even to
speak to them wish them good day utter a
single word lest his changed voice
should betray him all is arranged as you
wished said the colonel your adversary
claimed at first the privilege of the
offended part but he yielded almost at
once and accepted your conditions his
seconds are two military
men thank you said the vcom the Marquee
added please excuse us if we do not stay
now for we have a good deal to see to
yet we shall want a reliable doctor
since the duel is not to end until a
serious wound has been inflicted and you
know that bullets are not to be trifled
with we must select a spot near some
house to which the wounded party can be
carried if necessary in fact the
arrangements will take us another 2 or 3
hours at
least the vont articulated for the
second time thank you you're all right
asked the the colonel quite calm
perfectly calm thank you the two men
withdrew when he was once more alone he
felt as though he should go mad his
servant having lighted the lamps he sat
down at his table to write some letters
when he had traced at the top of a sheet
of paper the words this is my last will
and testament he started from his seat
feeling himself incapable of connected
thought of decision in regard to
anything so he was going to fight he
could no longer avoid it what then
possessed him he wished to fight he was
fully determined to fight and yet in
spite of all his mental effort in spite
of the exertion of all his willpower he
felt that he could not even preserve the
strength necessary to carry him through
the ordeal he tried to conjure up a
picture of the duel his own attitude and
that of his enemy every now and then his
teeth chattered audibly he thought he
would read and took down shat V's rules
of dueling then he said is the other man
practiced in the use of the pistol is he
well known how can I find out he
remembered Baron Devo's book on Marksman
and searched it from end to end George
Lam was not mentioned and yet if he were
not an Adept would he have accepted
without demure such a dangerous weapon
in such deadly
conditions he opened a case of gastine
renette which stood on a small table and
took from it a pistol next he stood in
the correct attitude for firing and
raised his arm but he was trembling from
head to foot and the weapon shook in his
grasp then he said to himself it is
impossible I cannot fight like this he
looked at the little black death
spitting hole at the end of the pistol
he thought of Dishonor of The Whispers
at the clubs the smiles in his friends
drawing rooms the contempt of women the
veiled sneer of the newspapers the
insults that would be hurled at him by
cowards he still looked at the weapon
and raising the hammer saw the glitter
of the priming below it the pistol had
been left loaded by some Chance some
oversight and the discovery rejoiced him
he knew not why if he did not maintain
in presence of his opponent the
steadfast bearing which was so necessary
to his honor he would be ruined forever
he would be branded stigmatized as a
coward hounded out of society and he
felt he knew that he could not maintain
that calm unmoved demeanor and yet he
was Brave since the thought that
followed was not even rounded to a
finish in his mind but opening his mouth
wide he suddenly plunged the barrel of
the pistol as far back as his throat and
pressed the trigger when the valet
alarmed at the report rushed into the
room he found his master lying dead upon
his back a spurt of blood had splashed
the white paper on the table and had
made a great Crimson Stain beneath the
words this is my last will and
[Music]
testament
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