Guy De Maupassant

Summary

Guy de Maupassant, born in 1850, was deeply influenced by literature, thanks to his mother’s connections, including Gustave Flaubert. After years of working as a government clerk, he began publishing his acclaimed works at 30, becoming one of France’s most successful authors. Known for his rapid output, Maupassant wrote about life’s complexities—ambition, greed, and human relationships. Despite his success, he struggled with fame and mental health, leading to his tragic death at 42 from syphilis. Despite his personal challenges, Maupassant's legacy lives on through his captivating short stories.

Takeaways

• 😀 Guy De Maupassant was born in 1850 and developed a love for literature through his mother, who was connected with notable literary figures like Gustave Flaubert.
• 😀 Maupassant didn’t publish any of his works until he was 30 years old, despite his early exposure to the literary world.
• 😀 Famed French author Gustave Flaubert, known for *Madame Bovary*, played a key role in helping Maupassant develop his writing style.
• 😀 Before becoming a writer, Maupassant worked as a government clerk and led a fairly ordinary life.
• 😀 Once he began writing, Maupassant became incredibly prolific, publishing up to four books a year, many of which became bestsellers.
• 😀 Maupassant's works often focused on human nature, exploring themes like ambition, greed, revenge, poverty, and unhappy marriages.
• 😀 Despite his fame and wealth, Maupassant grew dissatisfied with his success and struggled with the constant attention he received.
• 😀 Maupassant bought a yacht for sailing, but he was troubled by his popularity and the demands of public life.
• 😀 In 1891, Maupassant attempted suicide due to his mental and emotional struggles.
• 😀 Maupassant died in a mental hospital at the age of 42, 18 months after his suicide attempt, suffering from syphilis, which was fatal at the time.
• 😀 Known as the father of the modern short story, Maupassant’s legacy continues to influence literature and can be enjoyed through works available on Read Listen Learn.

Q & A

Who was Guy De Maupassant's mother, and how did she influence his literary career?

Guy De Maupassant's mother was a well-connected woman who knew some of the most prominent literary figures in France at the time, such as Gustave Flaubert. Her connections helped Maupassant develop his literary career, and Flaubert, in particular, played a key role in helping him develop his own writing style.

What role did Gustave Flaubert play in Maupassant's life?

Gustave Flaubert was a close friend of Maupassant's mother and helped guide Maupassant's literary development. Flaubert influenced Maupassant's writing style and encouraged him in his literary journey.

At what age did Guy De Maupassant begin publishing his works?

Guy De Maupassant began publishing his works at the age of 30, despite having worked as a government clerk before then.

What type of stories did Maupassant write about?

Maupassant wrote about a wide range of subjects including gigolos, the poor, unhappy marriages, revenge, ambition, greed, and the human condition, reflecting the complexities and realities of life.

How prolific was Guy De Maupassant as a writer?

Maupassant was an incredibly prolific writer, sometimes publishing four books a year, which were then reprinted multiple times, leading to his immense success and wealth.

What did Maupassant do with the wealth he accumulated from his writing?

Maupassant used his wealth to purchase a large yacht, which he used for sailing, although he struggled with the pressures of fame and the attention it brought.

How did Maupassant feel about his success and popularity?

Despite enjoying the financial rewards of his success, Maupassant did not like being recognized in public and disliked the invitations to social events and parties, which led to a sense of discomfort with his own fame.

What tragic event occurred in 1891 involving Maupassant?

In 1891, Guy De Maupassant attempted to take his own life. He was later placed in a mental hospital, where he died 18 months later.

What was the cause of Guy De Maupassant's death?

Guy De Maupassant died of syphilis in 1893. At the time, syphilis was a fatal disease, but today it is easily treatable with antibiotics.

What legacy did Guy De Maupassant leave behind?

Guy De Maupassant is often called the father of the short story and left behind a collection of remarkable stories that continue to be read and appreciated today.