The Moral of the Story
Many of Guy de Maupassant's short stories appear like parables, where readers have to figure out the moral lesson. The Frenchman's indirect approach offers a glimpse of human nature. This is the most impressive aspect of the author's storytelling, where most of his tales are set in Northern France. He didn't travel much, but his keen observation helped him pen some of the most exquisite short stories.
Here's a selected set:
The Diamond Necklace. Matilda Loisel thought that Fate was unkind to her, as she came from a humble background. Not that there was anything wrong about it, but she wondered what was it like to mingle with privileged people. The Minister of Public Instruction, whom Matilda's husband was working for, invited him to a gathering in his residence. She ordered the best dress. She even loaned a diamond necklace from her friend, Mrs. Forestier. Matilda had a blast, but the fairy-tale evening ended in disaster. The jewel got lost. The couple didn't want to risk losing face, so they borrowed a huge amount of money to replace it. They were able to pay it in ten years, but it cost their youth and health. Readers would admire Matilda's resolve not to resort to unscrupulous means, until the twist in the end. If only Matilda kept her feet on the ground. If she swallowed her pride and told her friend about the lost necklace. Ten years was such a long time.
A Piece of String. The public square in Goderville witnessed an unusual happening. Members of the crowd were talking about stolen money, and it occurred during the time when Maitre Hauchecome was in the same area. He found a piece of string, which piqued his curiosity. Those who witnessed him saw it differently. Some questioned the old man's innocence, but there was no doubt about it. Maupassant alluded to prejudice, where most people became victim of it. There was no point in explaining to them because they would believe what they see (or think). It was a no-win situation for Maitre Hauchecome, which he took personally. He passed away less than a year after the events. No one cared.
Simon's Papa. One of Maupassant's gentle narratives was about Simon being bullied at school. He was teased for not having a father, and the town folks knew why. The young lad often wondered if there was anything worse than what he was going through. All hope seemed lost when he met a blacksmith named Philip Remy. Readers would be captivated by the author's description of the countryside, which could be deceptive. Man's true colors are found underneath, and it's not a pretty sight. Not all of it, which Simon would learn.
