Summary of Maupassant's "Dumpling" - one of the best French short stories

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

"Dumpling" is one of the most famous short stories by the French writer Guy de Maupassant. The novella was published in 1880, becoming the writing debut of the 29-year-old author. "Donut" brought Maupassant pan-European fame, pushing him into the ranks of the most widely read writers in Europe. The short story denounces such human qualities as hypocrisy, callousness, selfishness and meanness. The paradox of Maupassant's "Dumpling" is that the main character - a prostitute - turns out to be much more decent than respectable people.

About the author

Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) - a brilliant French writer, better known as a master of the short story. He is the author of six novels and 20 collections of short prose. One of the most widely read writers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In his work, Maupassant gravitated towards realism. He rejected the romantic style of presentation. The main themes of his works are the palette of human relationships, the main role in which relates to love. Literary critics trace in Guy's workde Maupassant gradual transition from naturalism to decadence.

The start of the journey

The action of Maupassant's short story "Pushka", a summary of which is presented in this article, takes place in 1870. Franco-Prussian War. In winter, the Prussians occupied the French city of Rouen. Only a few merchants were allowed to leave the city for Le Havre.

Early in the morning, the crew of "Normandy" sets off, there are ten people in it: a count with his wife, two representatives of the bourgeoisie with their spouses, two nuns, a democrat Cornudet and a prostitute nicknamed Pyshka. Women are discussing Pyshka, men are grouping against the Democrat.

Food

In a brief summary of Maupassant's "Dumplings", it should first of all be said that the crew travels very slowly, often getting stuck in snowdrifts. People who expect to reach their destination in a short time did not stock up on food. Everyone is very hungry, and there are no farms or taverns nearby. Pyshka had a three-day supply of food. From the summary of Maupassant's "Dumpling" we can conclude that at first she is embarrassed to offer to share food with arrogant fellow travelers, but soon, forgetting about contempt, virtuous ladies and gentlemen pounce on food.

Dumpy, filled with patriotic feelings, candidly shares with fellow travelers her feelings that it is hard for her to see Prussian soldiers on the streets of her native city, so she hastened to leave it.

A night at a hotel

In the summary of Guy de Maupassant's "Dumplings", it should be noted that people are tired of the 13-hour journey. After a police check of documents, a general decision is made to spend the night at the nearest hotel. The innkeeper tells Pyshka about the desire of the Prussian officer to talk to her about something. The woman is walking. She returns angry, but she prefers not to talk about the reasons for her indignation. Travelers are having dinner. At night, Democrat Cornudet tries to molest Pyshka, but she rejects him, explaining that she does not want to practice her profession while enemy soldiers are in the hotel.

Day Two

Summary of Maupassant's Puffin Let's continue with the fact that in the morning it turns out that people cannot continue their journey, because the Prussian officer does not give them permission to do so due to Puffin's refusal. Permission to leave will be given to them only if Pyshka agrees to give in to his desire. Fellow travelers are outraged by the impudence of the Prussian.

Day Three

People's mood is changing. They accuse Pyshka of not wanting to do what her oldest profession suggests. The patriotic feelings of a prostitute and her hatred of enemies are indifferent to respectable citizens who do not even consider her a full-fledged person. Fellow travelers, gathered in a tavern, are discussing how to make Pyshka fulfill the condition of the Prussian officer. People despise and hate the woman because because of her they are forced to stay here instead of continuing on their way. The wives of two bourgeois and a count, and alsonuns, show disgusting hypocrisy, persuading Pyshka to give herself to the Prussian. The nuns even talk about the piety of her victim.

Day four

Doomed Pyshka yields to the persuasion of fellow travelers and goes to the Prussian officer. Her fellow travelers rejoice, celebrating their victory. Only Democrat Cornudet understands that they have acted vilely.

Continue on the road

So, what are the last chapters of Maupassant's Puffin about? In a summary, it must be said that the Prussian officer kept his word. The crew was ready to continue the journey the next morning. Fellow travelers defiantly ignore Pyshka, showing her their contempt in every possible way, sit away from her. The donut is hungry because she did not have time to stock up on food. People do not want to share with her, although they owe their liberation to her. Remembering his three-day supply of food, eaten by these hypocrites and hypocrites, offended and humiliated Pyshka weeps bitterly. But people just turn away. "Dumpling" Maupassant, the content of which does not leave the reader indifferent, ends with the unfortunate woman crying the rest of the way. Cornudet sings the Marseillaise.