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Madame Parisse
Short story
Unknown Binding
About the author
Guy de Maupassant
7,566 books3,070 followersHenri René Albert Guy de Maupassant was a popular 19th-century French writer. He is one of the fathers of the modern short story. A protege of Flaubert, Maupassant's short stories are characterized by their economy of style and their efficient effortless dénouement. He also wrote six short novels. A number of his stories often denote the futility of war and the innocent civilians who get crushed in it - many are set during the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 20, 2021
Guy de Maupassant's "Madame Parisse" reminds me of a Balzac short story but Balzac's "La Grande Breteche" is a true tragedy.
Madame Parisse and an officer have only one night, was it worth it?
"This view was one of those sweet, rare, delightful things that seem to permeate you and are unforgettable, like the memory of a great happiness. One sees, thinks, suffers, is moved and loves with the eyes. He who can feel with the eye experiences the same keen, exquisite and deep pleasure in looking at men and things as the man with the delicate and sensitive ear, whose soul music overwhelms."
“That is Madame Parisse, you know,” muttered Monsieur Martini, dwelling on the final syllable. No, I did not know, but that name, mentioned carelessly, that name of the Trojan shepherd, confirmed me in my dream. However, I asked: “Who is this Madame Parisse?”
"He seemed astonished that I did not know the story. I assured him that I did not know it, and I looked after the woman, who passed by without seeing us, dreaming, walking with steady and slow step, as doubtless the ladies of old walked. She was perhaps thirty-five years old and still very beautiful, though a trifle stout. And Monsieur Martini told me the following story: Mademoiselle Combelombe was married, one year before the war of 1870, to Monsieur Parisse, a government official. She was then a handsome young girl, as slender and lively as she has now become stout and sad. Unwillingly she had accepted Monsieur Parisse, one of those little fat men with short legs, who trip along, with trousers that are always too large."
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌
I having a hunch that Jean de Carmelin is the man who is being told the story, he already knows but is listening closely and thinking. He talks of the view as happiness and wants to talk to Madame Parisse but does he dare?
Madame Parisse and Jean become lovers yet have not yet expressed there love, an opportunity comes when her husband is away but soon comes back early. The officer uses his power to close the city for the night which prevents the husband from entering that night. They have their night, later the truth comes out and the officer is punished. I feel that he thinks it was worth it, and probably for her too.
"After the war Antibes was garrisoned by a single battalion commanded by Monsieur Jean de Carmelin, a young officer decorated during the war, and who had just received his four stripes. As he found life exceedingly tedious in this fortress this stuffy mole-hole enclosed by its enormous double walls, he often strolled out to the cape, a kind of park or pine wood shaken by all the winds from the sea. There he met Madame Parisse, who also came out in the summer evenings to get the fresh air under the trees."
"As they met so often, they perhaps smiled at the next meeting; then, seeing each other again and again, they felt as if they knew each other. He certainly bowed to her. And she, surprised, bowed in return, but very, very slightly, just enough not to appear impolite. But after two weeks she returned his salutation from a distance, even before they were side by side."
"And then he would take her hand, murmuring those words which the woman divines, without seeming to hear them. And it was agreed between them that they would love each other without evidencing it by anything sensual or brutal. She would have remained indefinitely at this stage of intimacy, but he wanted more. And every day he
urged her more hotly to give in to his ardent desire. She resisted, would not hear of it, seemed determined not to give way. But one evening she said to him casually: “My husband has just gone to Marseilles. He will be away four days.” Jean de Carmelin threw himself at her feet, imploring her to open her door to him that very night at eleven o’clock. But she would not listen to him, and went home, appearing to be annoyed."
“My Love: Business completed. I return this evening on the nine o’clock train. PARISSE.”
"What should he do? He certainly wanted her, that very, evening at whatever cost; and he would have her. He would resort to any means, even to arresting and imprisoning the husband. Then a mad thought struck him. Calling for paper, he wrote the following note: MADAME: He will not come back this evening, I swear it to you, — and I shall be, you know where, at ten o’clock. Fear nothing. I will answer for everything, on my honor as an officer. JEAN DE CARMELIN."
"Making the tour of the ramparts, they presented themselves at the gate on the route to Cannes. This likewise was closed and guarded by a menacing sentinel. Messrs. Saribe and Parisse, like the prudent men they were, desisted from their efforts and went back to the station for shelter, since it was not safe to be near the fortifications after sundown."
"The truth was suspected only later, when it became known that the battalion of the commandant had been sent away, to a distance and that Monsieur de Carmelin had been severely punished."
"I longed to speak to her, this poor, sad woman, who would ever be thinking of that night of love, now long past, and of the bold man who for the sake of a kiss from her had dared to put a city into a state of siege and to compromise his whole future. And to-day he had probably forgotten her, if he did not relate this audacious, comical and tender farce to his comrades over their cups. Had she seen him again? Did she still love him?"
Madame Parisse and an officer have only one night, was it worth it?
"This view was one of those sweet, rare, delightful things that seem to permeate you and are unforgettable, like the memory of a great happiness. One sees, thinks, suffers, is moved and loves with the eyes. He who can feel with the eye experiences the same keen, exquisite and deep pleasure in looking at men and things as the man with the delicate and sensitive ear, whose soul music overwhelms."
“That is Madame Parisse, you know,” muttered Monsieur Martini, dwelling on the final syllable. No, I did not know, but that name, mentioned carelessly, that name of the Trojan shepherd, confirmed me in my dream. However, I asked: “Who is this Madame Parisse?”
"He seemed astonished that I did not know the story. I assured him that I did not know it, and I looked after the woman, who passed by without seeing us, dreaming, walking with steady and slow step, as doubtless the ladies of old walked. She was perhaps thirty-five years old and still very beautiful, though a trifle stout. And Monsieur Martini told me the following story: Mademoiselle Combelombe was married, one year before the war of 1870, to Monsieur Parisse, a government official. She was then a handsome young girl, as slender and lively as she has now become stout and sad. Unwillingly she had accepted Monsieur Parisse, one of those little fat men with short legs, who trip along, with trousers that are always too large."
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌
I having a hunch that Jean de Carmelin is the man who is being told the story, he already knows but is listening closely and thinking. He talks of the view as happiness and wants to talk to Madame Parisse but does he dare?
Madame Parisse and Jean become lovers yet have not yet expressed there love, an opportunity comes when her husband is away but soon comes back early. The officer uses his power to close the city for the night which prevents the husband from entering that night. They have their night, later the truth comes out and the officer is punished. I feel that he thinks it was worth it, and probably for her too.
"After the war Antibes was garrisoned by a single battalion commanded by Monsieur Jean de Carmelin, a young officer decorated during the war, and who had just received his four stripes. As he found life exceedingly tedious in this fortress this stuffy mole-hole enclosed by its enormous double walls, he often strolled out to the cape, a kind of park or pine wood shaken by all the winds from the sea. There he met Madame Parisse, who also came out in the summer evenings to get the fresh air under the trees."
"As they met so often, they perhaps smiled at the next meeting; then, seeing each other again and again, they felt as if they knew each other. He certainly bowed to her. And she, surprised, bowed in return, but very, very slightly, just enough not to appear impolite. But after two weeks she returned his salutation from a distance, even before they were side by side."
"And then he would take her hand, murmuring those words which the woman divines, without seeming to hear them. And it was agreed between them that they would love each other without evidencing it by anything sensual or brutal. She would have remained indefinitely at this stage of intimacy, but he wanted more. And every day he
urged her more hotly to give in to his ardent desire. She resisted, would not hear of it, seemed determined not to give way. But one evening she said to him casually: “My husband has just gone to Marseilles. He will be away four days.” Jean de Carmelin threw himself at her feet, imploring her to open her door to him that very night at eleven o’clock. But she would not listen to him, and went home, appearing to be annoyed."
“My Love: Business completed. I return this evening on the nine o’clock train. PARISSE.”
"What should he do? He certainly wanted her, that very, evening at whatever cost; and he would have her. He would resort to any means, even to arresting and imprisoning the husband. Then a mad thought struck him. Calling for paper, he wrote the following note: MADAME: He will not come back this evening, I swear it to you, — and I shall be, you know where, at ten o’clock. Fear nothing. I will answer for everything, on my honor as an officer. JEAN DE CARMELIN."
"Making the tour of the ramparts, they presented themselves at the gate on the route to Cannes. This likewise was closed and guarded by a menacing sentinel. Messrs. Saribe and Parisse, like the prudent men they were, desisted from their efforts and went back to the station for shelter, since it was not safe to be near the fortifications after sundown."
"The truth was suspected only later, when it became known that the battalion of the commandant had been sent away, to a distance and that Monsieur de Carmelin had been severely punished."
"I longed to speak to her, this poor, sad woman, who would ever be thinking of that night of love, now long past, and of the bold man who for the sake of a kiss from her had dared to put a city into a state of siege and to compromise his whole future. And to-day he had probably forgotten her, if he did not relate this audacious, comical and tender farce to his comrades over their cups. Had she seen him again? Did she still love him?"
November 6, 2024
Madame Parisse relationship with her husband and a military man whom she meets while out walking on daily strolls.
A narrator is speaking to Mr. Martini. He speaks about the beauty of Antipolis (Antibes) against the sunset and also its historical associations.
They are sitting on the pier of the small port of Obernon, near the village of Salis, looking at Antibes in the setting sun.
Mr. Marini then goes on to speak about a woman, Madame Parisse who is walking by. She had married her husband, a government official reluctantly, as a young woman.
Their marriage was just before the war of 1970 (Franco-Prussian War).
After the war Antibes was garrisoned by a single battalion commanded by Monsieur Jean de Carmelin, a young officer decorated during the war, and who had just received his four stripes.
One day, she strikes up a conversation with Jean de Carmelin. It is the beginning of a romantic association.
The outcome for both the couple, and others, leaves some questions about one's duty as a responsible adult.
...
...
Madamoiselle Fifi
Set during the Franco-Prussian War. Chateau of Uville, Normandy, France.
Owner: Comte Fernand d'Amoys d'Uville.
Themes: antics gone awry. Enemy propaganda. Female ingenuity.
A meticulously detailed period story. Vive la France!
...
Story
A group of Prussians invite some sex-workers over for the evening. The Prussians are boarding at the local chateau.
The captain of the group (Kelweinstein) had suggested the idea.
The major, having agreed, sends a subordinate (old, non-commissioned officer) to arrange the matter.
The officer is called Le Devoir and he is helped in the matter by a comrade of the captain.
Various event happen during the gathering suggesting unwholesome behavior and eventually a murder takes place.
To make matters worse, two other Prussian soldiers are killed and three others wounded during the chaos (from outside the group).
The general reprimands the major, who in turn reprimands his subordinates.
The church and bells are foreshadowed in the surrounding scenery.
They are rung mysteriously soon after the time of the mayham in the castle.
The bells had formally been withheld from being rung protest of the occupation (by Abbe Chantavoine).
Eventually, after the Prussians leave, one of the young sex-workers is recognized for her ingenuity (and bravery) by the abbe (he transports her to Rouen as a prisoner himself).
She eventually marries a patriot (leaving her profession).
...
Notes
1. Major Graf Von Farlsberg, the Prussian commandant - broad shoulders - Pamela
2. Captain Baron van Kelweinstein - short red-faced man - Blondina
Three other officers of lower rank—
3. Lieutenant, Otto von Grossling - Amanda
Two sub-lieutenants:
4. Fritz Scheuneberg and - Eva
5.Baron von Eyrick, "a very short, fair-haired man, who was proud and brutal toward men, harsh toward prisoners and as explosive as gunpowder" - Rachel. (He is Madamoiselle Fifi of the title.)
Sex-workers
1. Blondina - assigned to the major
2. Pamela - to the captain
3. Amanda - stout - to Otto - draw their swords
4. Eva - the "tomato" - to Fritz - draw their swords
5. Rachel - dark complexioned - to Baron Eyrick
.....
A narrator is speaking to Mr. Martini. He speaks about the beauty of Antipolis (Antibes) against the sunset and also its historical associations.
They are sitting on the pier of the small port of Obernon, near the village of Salis, looking at Antibes in the setting sun.
Mr. Marini then goes on to speak about a woman, Madame Parisse who is walking by. She had married her husband, a government official reluctantly, as a young woman.
Their marriage was just before the war of 1970 (Franco-Prussian War).
After the war Antibes was garrisoned by a single battalion commanded by Monsieur Jean de Carmelin, a young officer decorated during the war, and who had just received his four stripes.
One day, she strikes up a conversation with Jean de Carmelin. It is the beginning of a romantic association.
The outcome for both the couple, and others, leaves some questions about one's duty as a responsible adult.
...
...
Madamoiselle Fifi
Set during the Franco-Prussian War. Chateau of Uville, Normandy, France.
Owner: Comte Fernand d'Amoys d'Uville.
Themes: antics gone awry. Enemy propaganda. Female ingenuity.
A meticulously detailed period story. Vive la France!
...
Story
A group of Prussians invite some sex-workers over for the evening. The Prussians are boarding at the local chateau.
The captain of the group (Kelweinstein) had suggested the idea.
The major, having agreed, sends a subordinate (old, non-commissioned officer) to arrange the matter.
The officer is called Le Devoir and he is helped in the matter by a comrade of the captain.
Various event happen during the gathering suggesting unwholesome behavior and eventually a murder takes place.
To make matters worse, two other Prussian soldiers are killed and three others wounded during the chaos (from outside the group).
The general reprimands the major, who in turn reprimands his subordinates.
The church and bells are foreshadowed in the surrounding scenery.
They are rung mysteriously soon after the time of the mayham in the castle.
The bells had formally been withheld from being rung protest of the occupation (by Abbe Chantavoine).
Eventually, after the Prussians leave, one of the young sex-workers is recognized for her ingenuity (and bravery) by the abbe (he transports her to Rouen as a prisoner himself).
She eventually marries a patriot (leaving her profession).
...
Notes
1. Major Graf Von Farlsberg, the Prussian commandant - broad shoulders - Pamela
2. Captain Baron van Kelweinstein - short red-faced man - Blondina
Three other officers of lower rank—
3. Lieutenant, Otto von Grossling - Amanda
Two sub-lieutenants:
4. Fritz Scheuneberg and - Eva
5.Baron von Eyrick, "a very short, fair-haired man, who was proud and brutal toward men, harsh toward prisoners and as explosive as gunpowder" - Rachel. (He is Madamoiselle Fifi of the title.)
Sex-workers
1. Blondina - assigned to the major
2. Pamela - to the captain
3. Amanda - stout - to Otto - draw their swords
4. Eva - the "tomato" - to Fritz - draw their swords
5. Rachel - dark complexioned - to Baron Eyrick
.....
August 26, 2023
The narrator is admiring the splendid view of Antibes at sunset and notices a well-dressed, handsome woman of about thirty-five walking melancholily along the waterfront. His companion, a local citizen, recounts the celebrated story of the adventure of the lady, Madame Parisse, with the dashing young officer commanding the town fifteen years before.
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