Guy de Maupassant

Guy de Maupassant

The author himself, central figure of the chapter.

I

James analyzes Maupassant's literary theories and style, discussing his views on objectivity, psychology, and originality.

II

James analyzes Maupassant's literary techniques, themes, and character portrayals across his works.

Short Fiction

Author of the collected short stories.

The Dead Hand

The narrator and friend of Pierre, who recounts the story of the skinned hand and its aftermath.

XXVI: What Was Said at Madame Labotte’s, the Fruiterer’s, 26, Rue de la Maraicherie

Narrator of the chapter, presenting the gossip and its spread through Balançon.

XXVIII: “This Story Will Show You That, if You Want to Save a Fellow Creature from Blows and Believe That It Is Better to Rescue a Cat Than a Man, You Will Excite the Anger of Your Neighbours. All Roads Lead to Rome—But Metempsychosis Leads to the Lunatic Asylum.”—Balançon Star

Narrator of the story.

XXX: How the Proverb—“The Madder One Is, the More One Laughs”—Is Not Always Quite True

Narrator of the chapter, observing the conflict between Heraclius and Dagobert.

On the River

The narrator who rents a cottage on the Seine and listens to the boating man's tale.

Lieutenant Laré’s Marriage

Author of the story.

Les Dimanches d'Un Bourgeois

The authorial presence shaping the narrative perspective.

Two Famous Men

Narrator of the chapter, describing Patissot's visits to Meissonier and Zola.

Suicides

The narrator who presents the letter and reflects on the phenomenon of suicide.

In the Spring

The narrator, who is swept up by the spring atmosphere and becomes infatuated with a young woman on the boat.

An Adventure in Paris

Narrator of the story, reflecting on women's curiosity and the provincial woman's adventure.

A Christmas Eve Festival

The narrator, a guest at his cousin's château, participates in the Christmas Eve events and observes the peasants' behavior.

The Log

Narrator of the story within the frame; recounts the anecdote about Julien and Bertha.

Words of Love

Author of the chapter, which is presented as a letter from a man named René to his lover Sophie.

Marroca

The narrator and author, who recounts his love affair in Algeria and his observations on the intense sensual love in the climate.

The Shepherd’s Leap

The narrator who recounts the story of the Shepherd's Leap.

The Bed

The narrator who buys the chasuble and discovers the hidden letters.

Relics of the Past

Author of the letter, writing as Adélaide to Colette.

Magnetism

Narrates the story of the bachelors' dinner and the skeptic's tales.

Guillemot Rock

Narrator describing the guillemot hunting tradition and the hunters' annual pilgrimage.

A Son

Narrator of the frame story; present at the dinner where the Academician tells his tale.

Travelling

The narrator who recounts the tragic story of the two boys and reflects on the power of memory.

A Corsican Bandit

The narrator traveling through Corsica and hearing the bandit's story.

Dreams

The author among the five friends, who has read Baudelaire and tried hashish, but is skeptical of the doctor's praise of ether.

The Burglar

The narrator of the story, who participates as a cuirassier and later as prosecutor in the mock trial.

The Lock

The narrator of the story, recalling his first amorous adventure as a young man.

My Uncle Sosthène

The narrator and nephew of Sosthène; a skeptical freethinker who orchestrates the prank on his uncle.

Correspondence

Author of the chapter, though not a character within it.

A Widow

The author of the story, though not directly mentioned in the excerpt.

A Parricide

Author of the story, presenting the narrative of the parricide.

A Norman

Narrator traveling through Normandy, observing the landscape and Father Matthew's antics.

The Relic

Author of the story, though not a character within the narrative.

Fear

The narrator, present on the steamer and recounting the conversation.

The Will

Authorial presence implied as the narrator recounts the tale.

The Wolf

Author of the story, present as the narrator of the frame tale.

The Kiss

Author of the chapter, writing in the voice of the old aunt.

My Wife

Narrator of the story, recounting the dinner party and Pierre Létoile's tale.

The Snipe

Narrator of the chapter, describing the baron and the snipe ritual.

Artfulness

Author of the story, though not directly present in the narrative.

The Legend of Mont Saint-Michel

The narrator who visits Mont Saint-Michel and recounts the legend.

Minuet

Narrator of the frame story, introducing Jean Bridelle's tale.

Mother and Daughter

The narrator who recounts the story of the Comtesse Samoris and her daughter, having learned details from his servant Joseph.

Christmas Eve

Narrator of the frame story, introducing Henri Templier's tale.

The Substitute

Narrator of the story, recounting the tale told by a captain.

Monsieur Jocaste

The narrator who recounts the story and defends the actions of Pierre Martel.

Beside a Dead Man

The narrator who listens to the German's story and reflects on Schopenhauer's influence.

Father Judas

The narrator who visits the tarn and hears the legend from Father Joseph.

Feminine Men

The author presents a personal essay on the nature of 'feminine men' in France, using his own observations and societal critique.

An Apparition

Author of the story, though not directly present in the narrative.

I

The narrator who sets the scene in the railway carriage.

A Surprise

Narrator of the story, raised by his uncle the abbé Loisel, later lives in Paris with his brother and a lover named Louise.

The Mother of Monsters

The narrator who visits the mother of monsters and later reflects on a similar case at a fashionable watering-place.

He?

The narrator, speaking in first person, recounts his terror of solitude and his decision to marry to avoid being alone at night.

The Window

The narrator, M. de Brives, who recounts his failed courtship and the scandalous incident.

Timbuktu

Narrator of the story, framing the encounter and the major's tale.

My Uncle Jules

The narrator of the frame story, who observes Joseph Davranche giving alms to a poor man.

Hydrophobia?

Author of the story, writing in the voice of the female narrator.

Caresses

The author is referenced as the discoverer of the letters, signed as Maufrigneuse, found in a pocketbook at the Madeleine.

A Duel

Author of the story, depicting the post-war tension between French and Prussian characters.

Friend Patience

The narrator and protagonist, an inspector of finances who reunites with his old friend Patience.

The Funeral Pile

The narrator who witnesses the cremation and reflects on its meaning.

Miss Harriet

Narrator present in the drag as one of the seven travelers.

I

The narrator, a young painter, describes his carefree wandering life and his fascination with Miss Harriet.

II

The narrator and painter, who befriends Miss Harriet and observes her peculiar behavior and growing attachment.

The Orient

The narrator who visits his friend and recounts the conversation about the Orient and opium.

A Party

The author narrates the story of Maître Saval's misadventure in Paris.

The Odyssey of a Prostitute

The narrator who encounters the prostitute and recounts her story.

A Coup d'État

The narrator, observing the events with a critical eye, highlights the absurdity and farce of the political situation.

A Humble Drama

The narrator who meets Miss Harriet and recounts her story.

A Wise Man

The narrator and childhood friend of Blérot, who observes the destructive effects of Blérot's marriage and later the resolution.

The Model

Narrator of the frame story, observing the couple on the beach.

Practical Jokes

The narrator, who recounts his experiences with practical jokes, both as a victim and as a perpetrator in his youth.

The Hand

The author is implicitly present as the storyteller, but the narrative is framed through the magistrate's voice.

Waiter, a Bock

The narrator who encounters his old friend in a beer hall and is shocked by his decline.

Letter Found on a Drowned Man

Author of the story, presenting the letter as a found document.

Misti

The narrator, a bachelor who recounts his affair with a married woman and his fondness for her husband.

A Coward

Author of the story, presenting a psychological portrait of a man confronting his own fear.

Rose

Author of the story.

A Traveller's Notes

The narrator and observer of the journey, providing commentary on fellow passengers and the scenery.

An Idyll

Author of the story, which depicts a chance encounter between two Italian travelers.

I

The narrator, who returns to Virelogne after fifteen years and recalls the Savage family.

I

The author, whose narrative voice presents the office scene.

Happiness

The narrator of the frame story, who sets the scene of the evening conversation.

Solitude

The narrator, who listens to his friend's monologue and reflects on whether the man was drunk, mad, or inspired.

My Landlady

Author of the story, though the narrative is told by the character George Kervelen.

Châli

Narrator of the frame story, setting the scene for the Admiral's tale.

I

The narrator, a first lieutenant in the navy, recounts his expedition to Central India and his experiences with the rajah and the young girls.

I

Narrator describing the storm and the scene at the café.

The Horrible

Narrator of the frame story, present at the gathering where the general tells his tales.

A Memory

The narrator, a young clerk in Paris, recalling a Sunday adventure from twelve years ago.

I

The narrator who recounts Pierre Jouvent's story about travel and Italy.

III

The narrator, who returns to Genoa and seeks out Francesca.

What the Colonel Thought

The author, who frames the colonel's tale within the narrative.

Bed No. 29

Author of the story, narrating the tale of Captain Épivent and Irma.

Nerves

The narrator and observer of the events at the watering-place.

Fear

The narrator who recounts the train journey and the conversation about fear.

The Tomb

Author of the story, presenting a courtroom drama centered on necrophilia and obsessive love.

The Confession

Author of the story, providing narrative perspective.

Mad?

The narrator of the story, who recalls his encounter with Jacques Parent and is deeply disturbed by the demonstration of magnetism.

Unmasked

The narrator and friend of Henri Sidoine, who listens to his story about his English wife.

Mohammed-Fripouille

The narrator, listening to Captain Marret's story on the rooftop in Algiers.

Berthe

The author, mentioned as the listener to the doctor's tale.

The Confession

Author of the story, framing the confession within the funeral of a respected man.

The Closet

Narrator of the story, recounting his personal experience.

For Sale

The narrator, who walks along the Brittany coast and becomes enchanted by a house for sale.

The Christening

The author, present as the listener to the doctor's tale.

Blue and White

The narrator, who rows out on the Mediterranean with his friend Pol and reflects on the beauty and terror of the natural world.

Our Friends the English

The narrator who finds and copies the diary, and the implied author of the satirical observations.

Letter from a Madman

The narrator of the letter, who describes his psychological breakdown and philosophical crisis.

Old Mongilet

Narrator of the frame story, recounting Old Mongilet's tale.

Roger's Method

The narrator who walks with Roger and prompts the telling of the story.

In a Railway Carriage

Author of the story, narrating the events from an omniscient perspective.

Checkmate

The narrator, who observes and attempts to seduce a young married woman during a voyage to Corsica.

The Hairpin

The narrator who visits the reclusive Frenchman and hears his story.

My Twenty-Five Days

The narrator who finds and copies the diary of the previous hotel guest.

A Madman

Author of the story, presenting the judge's diary as a discovered document.

The Woodcocks

The narrator, writing to a friend from Normandy, describing his hunting life and recounting the story of Gargan.

Ça Ira

The authorial voice, implied as the narrator who travels to Barvilles and reflects on the past.

The Wreck

The narrator and protagonist, acting as the Company's agent to inspect the wreck and witness for the defense.

II

The narrator and guest at the Chantal dinner, who becomes king of the Twelfth Night cake and chooses Mademoiselle Pearl as queen.

The Hermit

The narrator who visits the hermit and later recounts the hermit's story.

On Cats

The narrator and author, who recounts his experiences with cats, dreams, and a stay at a castle in Thorence.

I

The narrator, observing the sunset and reflecting on the beauty of Antibes.

Julie Romain

The narrator who encounters Julie Romain's villa and engages her in conversation about her past.

A Family

The narrator, reflecting on the changes in his friend and the grim reality of family life.

Are We to Teach Latin?

The narrator, a young student at the Institution Robineau, who orchestrates the match between Piquedent and the laundress.

The Marquis of Fumerol

Narrator as the Vicomte Roger de Tourneville, recounting the family's mission to his uncle.

The Farmer

The author, present as the narrator in the frame story.

A Cry of Alarm

The recipient of the letter and the narrator of the chapter, who publishes the letter as a warning.

Love

The narrator and protagonist, reflecting on a past hunting experience that revealed the nature of love.

Clochette

The narrator as a child, who adored Clochette and was deeply affected by her death and the doctor's story.

Madame Hermet

The narrator who visits the asylum and recounts Madame Hermet's story, expressing his fascination with madness.

Epiphany

The author, who frames the story through the captain's recollection.

One Night's Entertainment

Author of the story, narrating Varajou's misadventure.

The Door

The author, who frames the story as a narrative told by Karl Massouligny.

The Horla

The narrator of the story, who experiences a gradual descent into madness and paranoia as he believes he is being haunted by an invisible being.

Night

The narrator and protagonist, whose intense love for the night leads him into a harrowing experience of isolation and existential dread.

The Dead Woman

Narrator of the story, recounting his grief and the supernatural vision.

Madame Husson's May King

The narrator who listens to Marambot's story and visits the old fortress.

The Father

The narrator who visits Jean de Valnoix and hears the story.

Moiron

Narrator of the frame story, introducing M. Maloureau's tale.

The Rival Pins

Narrator of the story, though not directly named in the excerpt.

Our Letters

The narrator and discoverer of the hidden letters in Aunt Rose's room.

The Cripple

The narrator, who recounts the chance encounter on a train and reflects on the story of Captain Revalière.

A Portrait

The narrator, who observes and reflects on the portrait and M. Milial's charm.

One Evening

The narrator who listens to Trémoulin's story under the stars.

Allouma

Narrator and protagonist, a French colonist in Algeria who becomes infatuated with Allouma.

Allouma

The narrator who reflects on the Arab race and his relationship with Allouma.

II

The narrator of the story, reflecting on his relationship with Allouma and her sudden departure.

In Port

Narrator of the story, setting the scene in the port.

The Mask

The narrator who describes the ball and the doctor's discovery of the old man behind the mask.

The Putter-to-Sleep

The narrator who meditates on suicide and dreams of the Institute of Voluntary Death.

Mouche

The narrator who recounts his youthful adventures on the Seine with his friends.

Useless Beauty

The author's perspective on beauty and its societal role is woven throughout the chapter.

Who Knows?

The narrator of the story, experiencing a bizarre and haunting series of events.

The Horla (First Chapter)

The narrator of the story, a recluse who lives alone and experiences a terrifying supernatural event.

II

The narrator of the chapter, who travels extensively and discovers his stolen furniture in a Rouen antique shop.

Graveyard Sirens

Author of the story, though not directly present in the narrative.

After

Narrator of the story, presenting Abbé Mauduit's confession.

The Pedlar

The narrator, reflecting on a past memory from his youth when he was a boating enthusiast living in Argenteuil.

Endnotes

The author whose works are cited throughout the endnotes.