Guy de Maupassant was a prominent 19th century French writer known for his short stories and novels. He was born in 1850 in Normandy, France and studied law, but began a literary career in 1880 after resigning from his job in the Education Ministry. He published his first successful story in 1880 and wrote over 300 short stories and 6 novels within the next decade, establishing himself as a leading writer of the period. His health declined in the 1890s due to syphilis and he attempted suicide in 1892 before dying in a sanitarium the following year. As a writer, he was influenced by realism and naturalism and often portrayed unhappy characters victimized by their own flaws.

1. Biography of Guy de Maupassant
Prepared by Miss Rose June Vargas Locsin

2. Name: Henri-Rene-Albert Guy de Maupassant
Date of Birth: August 5, 1850
Birthplace: Dieppe, Normandy, France
Date of Death: July 6, 1893
Place of Death: Paris, France
Father: Gustave de Maupassant
Mother: Laure Le Poittevin

4. • started schooling when he was 13 years old
• finished at a Rouen boarding school
• studied law at the University of Paris
• became a soldier in Normandy during the
Franco-Prussian War
• worked as a clerk in the Education Ministry
• resigned in 1880 and began a literary career
• imitated the style of his godfather Gustave
Flaubert

6. • published his first story “Boule de Suif” (“Ball
of Fat”) in 1880
• established himself as a prominent writer of
short stories and novels
• wrote all of his great literature, including 6
novels and over 300 short stories within a
decade (1880-1890)
• published “La Parure” (“The Necklace”) in
1884

7. Alongside his flourishing literary career, de
Maupassant’s health declined as a result of syphilis,
which he contracted in the 1870s.
He attempted suicide on January 2, 1892 but was
unsuccessful; consequently, he was placed in a
sanitarium. He died there a year and a half later.

9. De Maupassant as Literary
Genius
A. Theories of Realism and Naturalism
•influenced by Flaubert’s leaning toward
realism in his writings
•influenced by his friend Emile Zola and
his naturalistic perspective

10. B. Characters
Many of his characters are unhappy
victims of their greed, desire, or vanity.
C. Writing Style
He presents the characters’ lives
without sermonizing. He would usually
“show” us, not “tell” us.