Guy de Maupassant

**Guy de Maupassant** was a prominent 19th-century French writer, known primarily for his short stories, which often depicted the complexities and ironies of everyday life, along with the social issues of his time. Maupassant's stories are noted for their economy of style, vivid descriptions, and unexpected twists, often portraying characters caught in morally ambiguous or difficult situations. He was a master of realism, and his works frequently explore themes such as class conflicts, war, and human folly.

One of Maupassant's best-known stories is **“The Necklace”** (*La Parure*), which follows the life of Mathilde Loisel, a middle-class woman with aspirations for wealth and sophistication. After borrowing a seemingly expensive necklace from her friend Madame Forestier to attend a high-society event, Mathilde loses it. Unable to find the necklace, she and her husband go into debt to replace it, only to discover years later that the original necklace was a fake. This story is a powerful commentary on vanity, materialism, and the harsh consequences of appearances.

Another notable work, **“Boule de Suif”** (*Ball of Fat*), tells the story of a kind-hearted but socially stigmatized woman named Elisabeth Rousset, nicknamed "Boule de Suif" for her plump appearance. She and other travelers are detained by a Prussian officer during the Franco-Prussian War. Although initially shunned, Boule de Suif ultimately sacrifices her dignity to sleep with the officer, enabling the group’s release. However, once freed, the other travelers treat her with contempt, highlighting Maupassant's critique of societal hypocrisy and exploitation.

Maupassant also wrote **“Mademoiselle Fifi”**, a story in which a Jewish prostitute named Rachel kills a German officer, and **“The Horla”**, which delves into the realm of psychological horror and the supernatural, depicting a man haunted by an invisible entity, possibly reflecting Maupassant's own struggles with mental illness.

### Frequently Mentioned Clues

1. **“The Necklace”**: A story about Mathilde Loisel, who borrows a seemingly valuable necklace from Madame Forestier, only to lose it and spend years in debt replacing it, only to later discover it was a fake.

2. **“Boule de Suif”** (or "Ball of Fat"): A short story about a kind-hearted prostitute, Elisabeth Rousset, who sacrifices her dignity by sleeping with a Prussian officer to secure the release of her fellow travelers, who then shun her.

3. **“Mademoiselle Fifi”**: The story of a German officer, nicknamed Mademoiselle Fifi, who is murdered by Rachel, a Jewish prostitute, after making derogatory remarks about France and its people.

4. **“The Horla”**: A supernatural story in which the narrator is haunted by an invisible, vampire-like entity that drives him to madness, reflecting Maupassant's own fears and psychological struggles.

5. **Mathilde Loisel**: The protagonist of "The Necklace," a woman who dreams of luxury but ends up impoverished after losing a borrowed necklace that she later discovers was a cheap imitation.

6. **Madame Forestier**: The friend of Mathilde in “The Necklace,” who lends her the fake necklace, inadvertently leading to Mathilde's financial ruin.

### Related Quizbowl Facts That Appeared In More Than One Toss-up

In *The ___1___*, Mathilde Loisel borrows jewelry from her friend ___2___, only to lose it and later find out it was fake. In *Boule de ___3___*, the title character, a plump prostitute, is persuaded to sleep with a ___4___ officer to allow her group to pass through occupied territory, only to be shunned by them afterwards. In *Mademoiselle ___5___*, a German soldier is stabbed by the prostitute ___6___ after he makes arrogant claims about his country's superiority. In *The ___7___*, an invisible vampire-like entity haunts the narrator, ultimately driving him to madness.

1. Necklace  

2. Forestier  

3. Suif  

4. Prussian  

5. Fifi  

6. Rachel  

7. Horla

Here are the recurring clues and references from questions about Guy de Maupassant, sorted by their frequency:

1. **"The Necklace" / Mathilde Loisel / Madame Forestier / fake jewelry** - 58 occurrences  

   "The Necklace" is de Maupassant's most famous story, often referenced in questions regarding the twist ending where Mathilde discovers that the necklace she borrowed was a worthless imitation, leading to years of unnecessary hardship.

2. **"Boule de Suif" / "Ball of Fat" / Elizabeth Rousset / Prussian officer** - 47 occurrences  

   This story features the character Elizabeth Rousset, a prostitute who is coerced by her fellow travelers into sleeping with a Prussian officer to secure their passage, only to be shunned by them afterward. It exemplifies Maupassant's critique of hypocrisy and societal judgment.

3. **"Mademoiselle Fifi" / Rachel / German officer / cheese knife** - 33 occurrences  

   "Mademoiselle Fifi" involves the prostitute Rachel, who stabs a Prussian officer (nicknamed Mademoiselle Fifi) in the neck with a cheese knife after he mocks France. This story reflects themes of patriotism and defiance against oppression.

4. **"The Horla" / supernatural creature / Brazilian ship / madness** - 25 occurrences  

   "The Horla" deals with a man haunted by an invisible creature, exploring themes of madness and the supernatural. The protagonist ultimately attempts to escape the entity by burning down his house, often mentioned in discussions of Maupassant's supernatural or psychological themes.

5. **"Two Friends" / Monsieur Morissot and Sauvage / executed by Prussians** - 18 occurrences  

   In "Two Friends," two men are executed by Prussian soldiers for not revealing a password while fishing, illustrating Maupassant’s anti-war sentiment and themes of friendship and loyalty.

6. **"Pierre and Jean" / inheritance revealing illegitimacy** - 15 occurrences  

   "Pierre and Jean" explores family dynamics and rivalry, with an inheritance revealing that one of Madame Roland's sons is illegitimate. It is a notable example of Maupassant’s exploration of realism and psychological depth.

7. **Cornudet / whistling "La Marseillaise" / character in "Ball of Fat"** - 12 occurrences  

   Cornudet, a democrat who whistles "La Marseillaise," appears in "Ball of Fat" as a symbol of patriotic resistance, often contrasted with the hypocrisy of other characters in the story.

8. **"A Piece of String" / Hauchecorne accused of stealing wallet** - 11 occurrences  

   In "A Piece of String," Hauchecorne is wrongfully accused of stealing a wallet after bending to pick up a piece of string. The story reflects Maupassant's themes of mistrust, reputation, and the pettiness of small-town life.

9. **"Madame Tellier's Establishment" / brothel workers attending First Communion** - 10 occurrences  

   "Madame Tellier's Establishment" portrays a group of prostitutes attending a religious ceremony, juxtaposing themes of morality and the humanizing portrayal of marginalized characters.

10. **"Bel Ami" / Georges Duroy manipulating his way up society** - 9 occurrences  

    In "Bel Ami," Georges Duroy climbs the social ladder through manipulation and relationships with influential women, showcasing Maupassant's critique of ambition, morality, and the corrupt nature of society.

These frequently occurring elements reflect Maupassant's major themes, including the fragility of reputation, the harsh realities of life, societal hypocrisy, and psychological horror. His works are marked by irony, social critique, and an often dark, realistic portrayal of human nature.