P-11 Exploring Short Stories: The Relationship of Guy de Maupassant’s Writing Style and Social Justice Advocacy

Presenter Information

Gille Kuhn, Andrews University

Abstract

This project explores the connection between French author Guy de Maupassant’s intentional pessimist writing style and his observations of the harsh life led by 19th century France proletariat. A literary analysis of two of Maupassant’s short stories, La Parure and Le Gueux, determines key elements of pessimism and realism and a historical exploration of the time establishes a very unequal class structure, which discriminates between the peasantry, the working class, and the rich bourgeois. Understanding the purpose and the relationship of Maupassant’s writing style and the social issues of the time evidence Maupassant’s preoccupation and advocacy for social justice.

Acknowledgments

Dr. Sonia Badenas

Thesis Record URL

https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/honors/144

Location

Buller Hall

Start Date

2-26-2016 2:30 PM

End Date

2-26-2016 4:00 PM

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Feb 26th, 2:30 PM Feb 26th, 4:00 PM

P-11 Exploring Short Stories: The Relationship of Guy de Maupassant’s Writing Style and Social Justice Advocacy

Buller Hall

This project explores the connection between French author Guy de Maupassant’s intentional pessimist writing style and his observations of the harsh life led by 19th century France proletariat. A literary analysis of two of Maupassant’s short stories, La Parure and Le Gueux, determines key elements of pessimism and realism and a historical exploration of the time establishes a very unequal class structure, which discriminates between the peasantry, the working class, and the rich bourgeois. Understanding the purpose and the relationship of Maupassant’s writing style and the social issues of the time evidence Maupassant’s preoccupation and advocacy for social justice.