| dc.description.abstract | Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a French realist writer of the late nineteenth century. During his brief writing career, he published six novels and nearly three hundred short stories. His writings usually rethink women’s roles and situations in marriage and their struggles and decisions to betray their husband. Through detailed psychological portrayals and social critiques, Maupassant unveils the injustices imposed on women under the overwhelming dominance of the patriarchal system.
This thesis focuses on Maupassant’s short stories. We aim to explore the theme of female infidelity and its various manifestations and implications. The first chapter is centered on nineteenth-century marriage as an oppressive institution. We will study how, in Maupassant’s short stories, the marriage hinders women’s happiness and pushes them towards extramarital affairs as an escape. In the second chapter, by using several narratological approaches, we will analyze the motivations behind infidelity, the relationships between the characters, and the choices and consequences faced by the unfaithful women. Influenced by the misogyny ideas and sexist beliefs of Schopenhauer, Maupassant often describes the cheating wives as both seductive and morally degenerate. However, he also reveals his sympathy for their difficult situations and unsatisfied desires. Thus, the third chapter seeks to determine whether Maupassant’s works surpass traditional male perspectives as well as prejudices. In this regard, the concept of “female gaze” will give us a thorough understanding of his portrayal of women.
This study not only analyzes the multifaceted representation of female infidelity but also reflects on female subjectivity. By reading and rereading the short stories of Maupassant, we hope to provide readers with new perspectives on women’s exploration of marriage, love, happiness and their pursuit of dignity and freedom. | en_US |