Century Chinese New Curriculum Standard Required Reading: Selected Short Stories by 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 key themes that 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 aimed to expose the cruelty and ugliness of the rulers in the war and to celebrate the heroic fighting spirit of the people, demonstrating that they were the true guardians of the dignity of the French nation. Second is the life of small civil servants in Paris. Third is the landscapes and anecdotes of towns and villages in Normandy. Fourth is social issues.