French literature has been a source of national pride and identity for centuries. Many European literary trends originated in France. Literature remains prestigious in France today through societies devoted to authors and annual literary prizes. Understanding French literature is key to understanding the French people and their history over the last three centuries, as French intellectuals have greatly influenced events through their writings and ideas.

1. French Literature

2. French literature, one of the world's most
brilliant, has been for centuries an impressive
aspect of French civilization, an object of
national pride, and a principal focus for
feelings of national identity. Because the
French are a literate people, passionately
interested in questions of language and in the
exploration of ideas, the influence of French
intellectuals on the course of French history
during the last three centuries has been great,
and remains so today.

3. A high proportion of European literary
trends have originated in France. The
continuing prestige of literature in France is
evidenced today by the innumerable private
societies devoted to individual authors and by
the large number of literary prizes awarded
each year. A knowledge of French literature,
in short, is the key to an understanding of the
French people.

4. About the Author
Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893)
-was born at the Château de Miromesniel,
on August 5, 1850.
-was a French author of naturalistic school
who is generally considered the greatest
French short story writer.

5. About the Author
Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893)
-was a popular French writer during the
19th century.
-he is considered one of the fathers of
the modern short story and one of the world’s
greatest writers of short fiction.
-his stories are characterized by their
economy of style and their efficient, effortless
endings.

6. Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893)

7. A Dead Woman’s
Secret
Guy de Maupassant

8. Vocabulary Words
Appease (verb)- to bring to a state of peace
or quiet
Austere (adjective)-morally strict; severely
simple
Countenance (noun)-the appearance of a
person’s face
Epistle (noun)-composition in the form of a
letter

9. Frantically (adjective) -emotionally out of
control
Loathing (noun) -a very strong feeling of
hatred or disgust
Magistrate (noun) -an official exercising
administrative or judicial functions
Pell-mell (adv./noun)-in mingled confusion or
disorder
Squall(verb)-to utter in a strident voice

10. Characters:
Dead Woman- the mother of Eulalie and the
judge who seemed to die without pain.
Marguerite/Sister Eulalie- the daughter of the
dead woman; a nun
Magistrate- the son of the dead woman; a
judge
Priest- the one who watch over the wake of the
dead woman

11. Setting:
• At the house of the dead woman
•Night

12. Theme:
Keeping Secrets
Sincerity
Moral Lesson:
Everyone has a secret, but only some
people are brave enough to reveal it to their
loved ones.

13. Thank
You !