IN THE MOONLIGHT

Guy De Maupassant

• August 5, 1850 to July 6, 1983

• French author
• He started studying law on 1869 at
University of Paris
• Volunteered in the army during the
Franco-Prussian War at age 20
• Civil servant at the ministry of
maritime affairs on 1872-1880, and
later on ministry of education
Guy De Maupassant

• In 1880's, he created 1 volume

verse, 3 travel books, 6 novels,
300 short stories.
 The story introduces us to Abbe Marignan, a
priest with an absolute love of the natural
world but a serious disdain against
women. He loathed all aspects of women and
could barely tolerate nuns. One day, he
learns that his niece has a lover and is
angered by the idea. He also learns that she
will be meeting her lover at night. Marignan
plans and sets out at night to catch the
two. However, as he sets forth at night, he is
Summary immediately seized and inspired by the
various sensory input from nature at night
from the smells the sounds to what can be
felt and what can be seen in the
moonlight. All of this assaults him and
inspires him to the point that as he looks
upon the lovers he finds he cannot
interfere. Instead, he observes and reflects
on their love as something biblical and
beautiful.
ANALYSIS OF
ELEMENTS
POINT OF VIEW
• 3rd person omniscient
CHARACTERS
• MAIN CHARACTER
Abbe Marignan
• MINOR CHARACTER
Marignan Niece
Melanie
• PROTAGONIST/ ANTAGONIST
Abbe Marignan - Main character
 • The story happened at
night along the
countryside road, beside
SETTING the river with the
ambiance of the
moonlight.
PLOT
CONFLICT OF
THE STORY •Man vs Himself
THEME

“Love being the

commandment”
Irony

• Abbe Marignan
LENSES

READER –RESPONSE APPROACH

FORMALISM
THE END