The Child (Maupassant): Difference between revisions

From Wikisum
Created/updated by Summarium bot
 
Created/updated by Summarium bot
 
Line 6: Line 6:
| Literary form = short story
| Literary form = short story
| Year of publication =  
| Year of publication =  
| Microsummary = A woman with a strong sensual temperament struggled with her unwanted pregnancy, leading to her desperate attempt to abort the child and ultimately taking her own life.
| Microsummary = A man married a young woman, but on their wedding night, he was called to the deathbed of his ex-mistress, who had given birth to his child. He brought the child home to his wife, who accepted it.
}}
}}


{{Start of text}}
{{Start of text}}


A conversation about a recent abortion in the parish led to a heated debate between a doctor and a Baroness. The doctor argued that people with strong passions cannot resist their desires and should not be judged harshly for their actions. To support his argument, he shared the story of a woman named Hélène, who had a strong sensual temperament since childhood.
Jacques Bourdillère, a man known for his sensuality and promiscuity, fell in love with a young woman named Berthe Lannis.  


{{Character
{{Character
| Name = The Doctor
| Name = Jacques Bourdillère
| Description = narrator; experienced, calm, and understanding of human nature
| Description = formerly dissipated man who falls in love and marries; caring, remorseful
| Emoji = 👨🏻‍⚕️
| Emoji = 👨🏻‍🦰
}}
}}


{{Character
{{Character
| Name = Madame Hélène
| Name = Berthe Lannis
| Description = woman with a strong sensual temperament; tormented by her unwanted pregnancy; determined, desperate
| Description = Jacques' young wife; simple, good, and fresh; loving and accepting
| Emoji = 👩🏻
| Emoji = 👩🏻‍🎓
}}
}}


Hélène married three times, but her husbands either died or left her due to her insatiable desires. After her third husband left, she tried to remain virtuous but eventually succumbed to her desires and became pregnant by her gardener. Desperate to get rid of the child, she tried various methods to induce a miscarriage but failed.
Despite his reputation, Berthe's family eventually accepted his marriage proposal. The couple decided to spend their first night together at the family home before leaving for their honeymoon the next day.


{{Quote
During their wedding reception, Jacques received an urgent letter from a doctor informing him that his ex-mistress, Ravet, had given birth to a child she claimed was his and was now dying.
| Text = Wretched, indeed, are those whom perfidious nature has endowed with strong passions.
 
| Context = The Doctor explains to the Baroness that people with strong passions, like Madame Hélène, are tormented by their desires and face greater struggles in life.
{{Character
| Name = The ex-mistress
| Description = Jacques' former lover; dying after giving birth to his child; desperate for his care
| Emoji = 👩🏻‍💻
}}
}}


Hélène's obsession with removing the child from her body grew stronger, and she became increasingly unstable. One day, her mother jokingly commented on her weight gain, which pushed Hélène over the edge. In a fit of madness, she took a carving knife and cut open her abdomen to remove the child. She died in the process, with her body lying on top of the unborn child.
Jacques left his bride to visit the dying woman, promising to return soon. At Ravet's bedside, she made Jacques promise to take care of their child, and he agreed.  


{{Quote
{{Quote
| Text = She performed her task very well, indeed, and very quickly, for she caught hold of this enemy which had hitherto eluded her grasp.
| Text = I am going to die, dearest; promise me you will remain till the end. Oh! do not leave me now, not at the last moment!
| Context = The Doctor describes the tragic moment when Madame Hélène, in a desperate attempt to abort her child, cuts open her own abdomen and ultimately dies.
| Context = The ex-mistress says this to Jacques as she is dying after giving birth to their child. She wants him to stay with her until she dies.
}}
}}


The doctor asked the Baroness if she thought Hélène was wicked, but she did not respond.
Ravet died in his arms, and Jacques took the child home with him.


{{Character
Meanwhile, Berthe and her family anxiously awaited Jacques' return. When he finally arrived, he explained the situation to his new wife. Berthe, filled with compassion, embraced the child and agreed to raise it as their own.
| Name = The Baroness
| Description = listener of the story; indignant, judgmental, and ignorant of the struggles of others
| Emoji = 👩🏻‍🦳
}}




{{End of text}}
{{End of text}}

Latest revision as of 22:32, 29 May 2023

Disclaimer: This summary was generated by AI, so it may contain errors.
Guy de Maupassant
The Child
Summary of the Short Story
Microsummary: A man married a young woman, but on their wedding night, he was called to the deathbed of his ex-mistress, who had given birth to his child. He brought the child home to his wife, who accepted it.

Jacques Bourdillère, a man known for his sensuality and promiscuity, fell in love with a young woman named Berthe Lannis.

👨🏻‍🦰
Jacques Bourdillère — formerly dissipated man who falls in love and marries; caring, remorseful.
👩🏻‍🎓
Berthe Lannis — Jacques' young wife; simple, good, and fresh; loving and accepting.

Despite his reputation, Berthe's family eventually accepted his marriage proposal. The couple decided to spend their first night together at the family home before leaving for their honeymoon the next day.

During their wedding reception, Jacques received an urgent letter from a doctor informing him that his ex-mistress, Ravet, had given birth to a child she claimed was his and was now dying.

👩🏻‍💻
The ex-mistress — Jacques' former lover; dying after giving birth to his child; desperate for his care.

Jacques left his bride to visit the dying woman, promising to return soon. At Ravet's bedside, she made Jacques promise to take care of their child, and he agreed.

I am going to die, dearest; promise me you will remain till the end. Oh! do not leave me now, not at the last moment!

Ravet died in his arms, and Jacques took the child home with him.

Meanwhile, Berthe and her family anxiously awaited Jacques' return. When he finally arrived, he explained the situation to his new wife. Berthe, filled with compassion, embraced the child and agreed to raise it as their own.


Retrieved from "https://wikisum.org/index.php?title=The_Child_(Maupassant)&oldid=1397"