Selected Short Stories of Guy de Maupassant

Author: Guy de Maupassant
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: Although Maupassant's novels draw from a wide range of sources, there are four main themes, which are closely tied to his life experiences. First is the Franco-Prussian War. Maupassant personally participated in this war, and the humiliation, suffering, anger, and inspiration it brought him were so profound and genuine that it motivated him to create. He wanted to expose the cruelty and evil of the rulers in the war to the people and celebrate the heroic fighting spirit of the people, demonstrating that they were the true defenders of the dignity of the French nation. Second is the life of small civil servants in Paris. Third is the scenery and anecdotes of towns and villages in Normandy. Fourth is social issues.