Simon's Posit Essay

The background of an author often reflects through their works. Everyone feels influenced by the world around them, as every individual has unique experiences that affect themselves in some way. In the same way, authors’ feel influenced by their past when they write. Although not long in length, the short story Simon’s Papa clearly displays a storyline parallel to the life of Guy de Maupassant. Almost seeming imaginary, Guy de Maupassant intertwined his life with his works and often becomes overlooked when reading his stories. Well known as the ‘master of short stories’, he masters an overall theme in the story and depicts human emotions throughout the story. Guy de Maupassant’s background and life experiences influenced his works and shows
He grew up in a home dominated by his mother and rarely seemed to visit with his father after the separation. De Maupassant came under the influence of the author Gustave Flaubert, who inspired his writings. Guy seemed to have preferred Flaubert as a father rather than his own, because of the unfaithful actions his father took. Although not specifically stated the reason why his father left, Guy did not talk favorably about his father or maintain a close relationship with him afterward the situation (Citation Bio). Following the incident, he generalized that all men acted similar to his father and that most male figures cheat on their partner. The life changing event of the separation left an impact on his life, and Guy de Maupassant later reflected this experience in the story of Simon’s
From taking his life experience and changing names, but keeping the same storyline he allowed his experiences influence his writings. De Maupassant’s works detail the French life in the 19th century, along with capturing the natural wants and desires of humans. With Guy’s life including a multitude of hardships, such as: losing his brother, the abandonment from his father, diagnosed with a disease, and his military experience he drew from those experiences to recreate them as short stories. Recurring messages and themes appear throughout the three hundred stories Guy has written, such as: suicide, poverty, and his love for women. The theme of suicide appeared throughout the short story and other short stories, which connects to his past life