Dear friend summary. Guy maupassant - dear friend
The novel was written in the mid-1880s. Observing some of his opportunistic contemporaries, the writer Guy de Maupassant created the image of an unscrupulous adventurer who dreams of a successful career and at the same time does not have any special talents. The only weapon of the protagonist in the struggle for a place in the sun is his spectacular appearance.
Maupassant's novel survived great amount screen adaptations. In 2014, the world premiere of the ballet of the same name took place on the stage of the Irkutsk musical theater named after N. M. Zagursky.
Georges Duroy lives in the French capital. Duroy does not know how to get rid of the poverty in which he finds himself. One day, Georges meets his old acquaintance named Charles Forestier, with whom he served in Africa many years ago. Charles succeeded, becoming a well-known journalist. Forestier invites a friend to a dinner party and promises to help him.
During dinner, Georges meets Charles' boss, Mr. Walter. Thanks to its natural charm main character managed to charm everyone present, including Walter, who immediately offered Georges a job. Duroy's first test assignment is an article in which he must describe his service in Africa. The protagonist has no writing talent, and despite all his attempts, he was never able to cope with the first task.
Georges turns to Madeleine, Charles's wife, for help. Madeleine wrote an excellent article that got the main character hired. He again proposes to write his next article to a new acquaintance. However, Monsieur Forestier, having learned that Duroy was using his wife for his own selfish interests, forbade Madeleine to help Georges.
The main character decides to become a reporter. After some time, he really was able to achieve success in his chosen field in not the most honest ways. But the desired material wealth is still very far away. Duroy becomes the lover of Clotilde de Marelle, whom he met at a dinner party with Charles. Lorin, daughter of Clotilde, fell in love with the main character. It was she who gave him the nickname Bel Ami (dear friend). Georges managed to charm Walter's wife. In addition, he dreams of making Madeleine his mistress. But Madame Forestier disagrees.
Charles is seriously ill. After his sudden death, Georges offers Madeleine a hand and a heart. The widow sets conditions: Georges must become a nobleman and let her live as she wants. The protagonist is forced to buy himself a title of nobility and become Monsieur du Roi.
New plans
After the wedding, Georges continues to be Clotilde's lover. The protagonist's wife writes articles for him, and du Roy himself takes the place of a deceased friend in the newspaper. Colleagues make fun of Georges and, as if by chance, call him the name of the deceased. Du Roy succeeded in seducing Virginia, the wife of Monsieur Walter. The unfaithful wife gives her lover a family secret about her husband's machinations.
Virginia quickly bored Georges. He plans to marry Susanna, the daughter of the Walthers. Suzanne is an enviable bride. Her father was recently able to get rich on his machinations. Georges himself also finally became rich. Madeleine inherited from her old friend, who was probably her lover or illegitimate father. Du Roy demands that his wife share the received million with him and thus save her reputation. People will certainly begin to spread gossip about Madeleine and the deceased. Madame du Roy is forced to yield.
Georges needs to get a divorce in order to fulfill his plans for the boss's daughter. Du Roy was able to prove that Madeleine was cheating on him with the prominent politician Laroche-Mathieu. At the same time, Georges begins to court Suzanne, persuading her to refuse a rich fiancé. The protagonist is sure that Walter will not want to give his daughter to him. In this case, he has a brilliant plan. After getting a divorce, Georges arranged for Suzanne to escape and then hid with her for a while. Then du Roy brought the bride to his father and asked for Susanna's hand and heart.
Parents are against this marriage. Especially dissatisfied is Mrs. Walter, who knows well the temper of her future son-in-law. Nevertheless, Mr. Walter is forced to agree to the marriage. A girl who ran away with a young man is considered dishonored. No decent parents of Paris will allow their son to connect life with Suzanne.
At the protagonist's wedding, Norbert de Varin, who worked with du Roy, is present. Looking at his colleague, he comes to the conclusion that the future of this world, unfortunately, belongs to the crooks. Clotilde de Marel also came to the celebration. The lovers constantly look at each other, from which it becomes clear to the reader that Clotilde and Georges do not intend to end their relationship.
Bel Ami
The protagonist of the novel is a miserable, good-for-nothing person. Nature gave him one single ability - the talent to skillfully manipulate the people around him. Georges manages to subjugate not only young naive girls, such as Suzanne Walter, but also more mature and experienced women, such as the battered Madeleine Forestier. Even men are not able to resist the onslaught of his charm.
Georges Duroy is absolutely devoid of conscience and any notions of honor. Marrying Madeleine does not prevent him from having mistresses. Justifying himself to himself, the main character assures himself that his wife is probably cheating on him, which means that his betrayal is not betrayal at all, but just revenge on the unfaithful wife. Duroy also considers the division of the inheritance received by Madeleine quite fair. After all, Georges, being a caring and loving husband, is just trying to save the honor of his wife and protect her from gossip.
Analysis of the work
Who Succeeds
Through the mouth of a pessimistic poet, the author comments on the triumph of Georges Duroy. The future belongs not to talented, conscientious people who could do so much for their homeland, and for the whole of humanity, but for mediocre opportunists.
However, the author places the blame for such a combination of circumstances not on evil fate, unfair fate or any other otherworldly forces, but on the society in which opportunists like Duroy live. Evidence for this is not difficult to find.
Madeleine Forestier, doing the work of Georges and having received an offer to become his mistress, knew in advance that she was marrying a dishonest person. However, this did not save her from fatal mistake. Virginia Walter, a pious, strict woman, agrees to an illicit relationship with the protagonist, giving him her husband's secret. Suzanne Walter accepts the courtship of a man with a dubious past and an equally dubious present, refuses marriage to a worthy young man and runs away with Georges, thereby compromising herself.
Georges Duroy moves to Paris. He is a minor official, but has a great desire to make a career. One day, his friend Charles hires him to work in the newspaper "French Life", takes him to the Folies Bergère. Georges immediately becomes a favorite. He is assisted in writing the article by Madeleine Forestier. Duroy is very well versed in both politics and theater affairs, even finding himself in the narrow spheres of deputies and prominent figures. This fact does not improve his condition in writing articles. He can't handle just one article that Madeleine started for him.
Georges is Clotilde's lover. She rents an apartment for him, gives him money when needed. To improve his career, the Heartthrob confesses his love to Madeleine. Duroy marries Madeleine after her husband's death. Madeleine wants Georges to change his last name to Du Roy de Cantel. In addition, she wants her husband to receive the title of baron. Georges receives not only Forestier's wife, but also his rank.
Duroy's new target is Madame Walter, who will fall in love with him. Georges, in addition to his victories, wants to get the fortune of his wife's former lover, Comte de Vaudrec.
Georges wants to get a divorce and marry Suzanne, the daughter of Madame Walter. He seeks a divorce by catching his wife with the minister.
Georges takes Suzanne away and marries her. He is appointed to the post of editor-in-chief of the newspaper. After the wedding, Duroy is thinking of seducing Madame de Marelle and getting to the rank in the Bourbon Palace.
Picture or drawing Dear friend
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Georges Duroy, a former non-commissioned officer, leaves a Parisian restaurant with three francs in his pocket. The hero faces a difficult choice: spend this money on two lunches or two breakfasts. Georges envies rich Parisians and sadly recalls his service in Algiers. On the street, the hero meets his army comrade Charles Forestier. The latter occupies a good position in society: he is a journalist, married. Georges complains to a friend that, working in the management of the Northern Railway, he is actually starving. Forestier takes him to the editorial office of French Life, where he works himself, treats him to beer, offers to do journalism and invites him to dinner. The friends end the evening at the Folies Bergère, where Georges meets a lady of easy virtue named Rachel.
At a dinner at Forestier's, Duroy meets Ms. Madeleine Forestier, her friend and distant relative Ms. Clotilde de Marelle and her daughter Lorina, the publisher of the French Life, Mr. Walter and his wife, writers Jacques Rival and Norbert de Varin. In society, Georges shows himself to be an excellent connoisseur of Algeria. Mr. Walter commissions a series of essays on life in Africa from him.
Returning home, Duroy sits down at the Memoirs of an African Rifleman. The essay is not written. Instead of working, Duroy dreams of meeting a mysterious stranger, whom he will marry and enter high society. In the morning, Duroy hurries to Forestier and asks him to help with the article. The journalist sends a friend to his wife. Madame Forestier writes the entire essay for Duroy. In the afternoon, Georges is hired by French Life. The next morning, he sees his article printed and, for joy, does not know what to do with himself. Finally, he decides to get a salary at the same place and pay off his job.
In the afternoon, Forestier chastises Duroy for not bringing him a continuation of the essay, and sends a friend along with Saint-Potin to interview. The next morning, the Forestiers refuse to help Duroy, and he writes the article himself. In the evening, Georges goes to the Folies Bergère, where he meets Rachel again. His essay on Algeria is never published.
In a short time, Duroy becomes an excellent reporter. He closely converges with Madame de Marelle and her daughter Lorina and receives from them the nickname "Dear friend". After dinner with the Forestiers, Duroy takes possession of Madame de Marelle in a carriage, after which they become lovers. At the beginning, the characters meet at Duroy's apartment, then Clotilde rents furnished rooms for him. De Marel forces Georges to take her to cheap pubs and brothels. Duroy gets into debt. Clotilde, learning of this, tosses twenty francs into his pocket. In the Folies Bergère, she learns that Duroy has been cheating on her with Rachel, and breaks with him.
Georges borrows money to repay Clotilde, but eats everything up instead. He acquires the friendship of Madame Forestier. The woman advises Duroy to enlist the support of Madame Walter. After a visit to the latter, Georges is appointed head of the chronicle department. At dinner at the Walters, he again converges with Madame de Marelle and strikes up a friendship with her husband. The poet Norbert de Waren tells Duroy that he lives in constant fear of death.
Louis Langremont of the rival "Per" attacks Georges in writing. Boirenar and Jacques Rival arrange a duel for the heroes. Duroy is very worried on the eve of the duel, but, fortunately, both opponents remain unharmed.
Forestier dies at the Villa Belle in Cannes. Georges spends last days together with a friend. After his death, he proposes to Madeleine. A few months later, she accepts him and asks Georges to "become a nobleman for the wedding", changing his surname to Du Roy de Cantel.
Clotilde cries upon learning of Georges' marriage, but admits that he made a good choice. After the marriage, which took place on May 10, the Duroy spouses go to Georges' parents. On the way, all they do is make love: on the train, in the hotel. Georges's parents - ordinary peasants - at first do not recognize their son and are wary of accepting his wife.
In Paris, Georges works with Madeleine. He is appointed head of the political department instead of the deceased Forestier. Colleagues tease him. Georges constantly mocks Charles in the presence of Madeleine. He is jealous of his wife for a dead friend.
Georges learns from Madeleine that Madame Walter has fallen in love with him. He accompanies the latter, along with her daughters, to a fencing tournament with Jacques Rival. The next day, he declares his love to Mrs. Walter. In the Trinity Church, a woman confesses that she has been in love with Georges for a year, but then runs away from him to confession. The next day, Madame Walter comes to her senses and makes an appointment with the hero in the park. Georges takes her to the apartment rented by Clotilde and pounces on her as if she were legitimate prey.
Ministers are replaced in the French government and French Life becomes an official newspaper. Georges begins to envy the new minister Laroche-Mathieu and dream of a parliamentary career.
For a month and a half of an affair with Ms. Walter, Georges gets pretty tired of her, but falls in love with Clotilde even more. Mrs. Walter, wanting to keep her lover, tells him about a secret mission in Morocco, where you can easily get rich. Georges shares a secret with Clotilde, and immediately quarrels with her because of the gray hair of Madame Walter found on him.
The Comte de Vaudrec, a good friend of Madeleine, dies. He leaves her all his fortune. Georges agrees to give his wife permission to accept the inheritance only if she gives him half.
After conquering Morocco, Walter earns 50 million. The five hundred thousand francs received from Vaudrec seem to Georges to be miserable crumbs. He begins to think that he acted hastily by marrying Madeleine, and not Susanna, one of Walter's daughters.
At a reception at the new Walter mansion, Georges breaks with the mistress of the house and begins to seduce Susanna. Minister of Foreign Affairs Laroche-Mathieu gives the hero the Order of the Legion of Honor. Together with the police commissioner, Georges establishes the fact of his wife's infidelity with Laroche and gets a divorce three months later.
Susanna runs to Georges. Walter agrees to the marriage. Ms. Walter has a nervous attack. Georges and Susanna are married. In the church, the hero realizes that he loves only one woman - Clotilde.
George Duroy. Who is it?
Most likely, you are familiar with his name - the name of a charming and depraved adventurer, and an unscrupulous seducer; the name of a poor retired military man, striving to break into the people and achieved his impudent shameless goal. This is the Dear Friend, Georges Duroy, whose name is the symbol of the selfish seducer and voluptuary ambitious man.
Did such a person really live? Georges Duroy is the protagonist of French writer Guy de Maupassant's novel Beloved Friend. And although it can only be imagined, how many prototypes and prototypes he had, not to mention imitators and followers.
What did the French writer want to show with his priceless work? What is remarkable about the characterization of Georges Duroy in the novel "Dear Friend"? And is it possible to find an excuse for his disorderly deeds and actions? Let's try to figure it out.
Social problems of the novel
The events in "Dear Friend" take readers to France, during the period of the Third Republic. What was the focus of the society of that time?
Most people have lost their spiritual core. They see happiness and prosperity only in money and noble birth. If you are a nobleman, you can do everything. And if you are rich, you can do the impossible. Unfortunately, this principle is also adhered to by Georges Duroy - the hero of the novel "Dear Friend".
Surrounding people dictate their conditions to him. A society corrupted by wealth loses its moral face and forgets about conscience. Women, both rich and poor, sell themselves in order to acquire wealth and luxury. Men look at the opposite sex only from a selfish point of view. Mothers and fathers are ready to sacrifice the happiness of their children in order to strengthen personal material and financial affairs.
To all this, it suffers from the absence of any moral and moral principles. Carnal love drives most of the representatives of the aristocracy, for them the satisfaction of their physical desires and pleasures is at the forefront of all worries and anxieties. Adultery, brothels and promiscuity no longer surprise or puzzle anyone.
People live only to satisfy their bodily desires, regardless of the opinion of moral canons and the happiness of those around them. Duroy has the same relation to morality.
Moral
Georges Duroy (in French - Zhorzh Dyurua) from the very first pages of the novel appears before readers as an example of an insatiable and dissolute voluptuary. For him, a woman is not a person who needs to be loved and taken care of, but an object of his greedy desire, which must be used as soon as possible for his own purposes. By the way, most of the women with whom Duroy communicates go down this slippery path themselves and want to be used.
The sensual, animal revelry that Georges Duroy indulges in is the satisfaction of his primary need (along with the needs for food and clothing), so the main character does not feel remorse, following his own lust.
Without thinking, he uses his base passions to get out of poverty and wretchedness. He shamelessly plays with women, looking at them as a means of enriching himself and climbing the social ladder.
Having understood a little about the social and everyday issues of the novel, let's now briefly get acquainted with its content. This will help us to see the image of the main character from the inside, in his actions and relationships with other characters.
Description Duroy
Georges Duroy is a charming young man, with his graceful figure and handsome face he can be liked and admired. He is the offspring of poor peasants, trying by any means to break out into the light.
The protagonist is ambitious and double-minded, seductive and beautiful. However, with the help of his appearance, he cannot achieve prosperity and universal recognition.
In addition to a pretty appearance, Duroy no longer has anything - he has no mind, no talents, no connections and, of course, no money. However, there is a great desire to have them.
old friend
So, the main character works for a pittance and dreams of the best, wandering around Paris unfamiliar to him. He is hot and stuffy, and he does not even have the means for a glass of beer. However, he still, tirelessly and regretfully, wanders the streets of the city in search of a favorable opportunity. What is this case? Is it a meeting with a rich stranger?
Be that as it may, but wealthy ladies do not pay attention to a poorly dressed person. What can not be said about the poor and destitute courtesans. One of them - Rachel, loses his head from the charming provincial and gives himself to him almost for free, awakening in his soul the desire to charm and use women in love with him.
Duroy is still waiting for a chance to get acquainted with a wealthy aristocrat, but he meets only ... an old comrade. This meeting radically changes the life and future of the protagonist.
Charles Forestier is a former colleague of Georges in Algeria. However, life in the capital did him good - he gained weight, acquired the fashionable profession of a journalist, and acquired money. Charles treats Duroy to a glass of beer and invites him to a social dinner in order to impress the right people.
Everything shows that the main character does not feel any friendly feelings for Forestier. The concept of partnership is alien to him, but he understands that a flourishing journalist can be useful to him.
Dinner
At the party, Georges tries to please all the participants in the celebration, and he succeeds. He kisses little Lorina, and then the girl's mother, Clotilde de Marel, takes a liking to him. Duroy impresses Forestier's wife, Madeleine, as well as the wealthy newspaper owner Walter and his wife.
From the first time, the main character manages to make his way: Walter makes him an order for an essay on soldier's life, Madeleine disinterestedly composes a story instead of him, the essay is approved by the editor and published. Georges was also given a new assignment, however...
pen trials
He has no writing talent. Forestier refuses to help Duroy, he writes an essay on his own, but the newspaper rejects him. After suffering, Georges decides to become a reporter, not a writer. In this case, you need not talent, but perseverance, charm and arrogance.
As a reporter, the protagonist wins over Walter and starts earning a considerable amount of money. He moves in the highest circles, he manages to live better and richer. But still…
Not only Duroy's income increases, but also his desires. A young man cannot remain in the shadow of rich and noble acquaintances. He himself wants to live in luxury and reverence, dress with chic and eat expensive dishes.
Permanent mistress
What should a pretty dodgy reporter do in order to achieve his goal? He decides to find an additional source of income - Madame de Marelle.
A young woman is a spectacular bright brunette. She rarely sees her husband and is constantly bored. In Duroy, Clotilde finds a reflection of herself. She is just as risky as he is, just as artistic and desperate.
Relations with Georges begin with a petty, inconspicuous affair, but end with a burning, all-consuming passion, which is destined to last the entire life of the main characters. Madame de Marelle plunges headlong into carnal pleasures, giving herself entirely to a new feeling. She rents an apartment for meetings with a fiery lover, gives him small but significant amounts.
Realizing that the Dear Friend has other women, Clotilde is very angry and jealous, but at the same time she forgives Duroy again and again. She cannot imagine life without this charming adventurer and becomes his slave and maid.
Using the money and gifts of his mistress, the young man does not feel a twinge of conscience or regret. He pretends to borrow from her, but he realizes that he will never return it.
Relationship with Madeleine
The relationship between Georges and the wife of his friend Forestier is interesting and multifaceted. Going to take revenge on his former comrade-in-arms, Duroy tries to seduce his wife. However, she immediately saw through the unknown young reporter and offered him ... friendship. And even advised to try to win the heart of Mrs. Walter.
However, soon Madeleine's husband dies, and the pretty widow marries Duroy. Their marriage is not a union of two lovers, but an agreement between two adventurers who are trying to improve their social status. Madeleine invents a title for her husband, writes articles for him, obtains an honorary order from her lover. She is a real support and fighting friend, able to seduce and shine in secular society, giving thoughtful, wise advice.
The marriage of Madeleine and Georges is an example of a typical secular marriage of that time, based not on feelings and tenderness, but on reason and mutual benefit.
Virginia Walter
However, Georges Duroy is not satisfied with living together with Madeleine, no matter what mountains of gold she promises. He needs everything at once, he does not want to accumulate wealth slowly and gradually.
Other women can help Duroy with this. First, the protagonist seduces Mrs. Walter, an aging God-fearing lady, the wife of her boss and patron. As you can see, the main character has no limits of decency, feelings of gratitude or subordination.
Virginia has a hard time falling - she struggles with herself for a long time, doubts and worries for a long time. And, finally, she succumbs to the persistent persuasion of Georges and becomes his mistress. She betrays her husband, telling her Dear friend about his mysterious plans, she gets him money and jewelry.
But a relationship with a mature woman is not interesting to the unprincipled Duroy. He quickly loses interest in his passion and, despite her protests and scenes of jealousy, continues to visit Clotilde.
Second marriage
How can Duroy become rich and independent? The young man decides to marry again, but this time to choose a bride with a large and impressive dowry. The choice of Georges falls on Suzanne Walter - a stupid and innocent eighteen-year-old beauty.
Duroy ruthlessly seeks a divorce from Madeleine and takes away half of her fortune, not feeling a drop of conscience in front of the one who did so much for his well-being!
Then the protagonist cynically seduces the daughter of his former mistress Virginia, thereby forcing the parents to agree to this dishonorable marriage.
Finally, the desire of the young man came true - he took several million as a dowry. Now he will no longer feel either heat or stuffiness, and will never feel thirsty for beer. But will he be happy?
Influence
As you can see, the image of Georges Duroy is very complex and multifaceted. It generates a storm of negative emotions and contempt, and yet it evokes sympathy and sympathy. After all, Georges Duroy is only a consequence of the spiritual decay of the entire nation, the moral decline and moral corruption of the whole society.
It is noteworthy that the type of the protagonist does not leave anyone indifferent. Much is judged and talked about, he is set as an example and accused.
Interestingly, the character of the Dear Friend has found its reflection in modern music. Who was impressed by the shamelessness and impudence for which Georges Duroy became famous? "Chizh" in his song composition mentioned the name of the protagonist of the novel along with drunkards, drug addicts and unrecognized talents.
The son of wealthy peasants, Georges Duroy is naturally endowed with a delightful appearance. He wore a lovely mustache, blond hair always looked irresistible, and a slender figure distinguished him from the crowd. Thanks to this, he had an amazing success among women and he lived in Paris. At this time, he was in serious financial need: he had only three francs left in his pocket, and a new salary would be paid only in a couple of days. The heat every minute took away a lot of strength from him and he terribly wanted a mug of beer. Duroy, walking along the streets of Paris, is always waiting for some extraordinary event. And whoever seeks, as you know, always finds. Of course, he was looking for a woman, through whose fault all the most interesting events would happen. But he will not get ahead of himself, but simply explain that he met Forestier.
Georges served with him in Algiers. The young man neglected success in his own village and went to serve in the army. For about two years he carried out robberies, which were invariably accompanied by the killing of Arab people. It was this that developed in him the habit of taking whatever he desired and walking with his chest puffed out. The only pity is that in Paris it is not customary to earn a living by waving a revolver.
His friend Forestier began to excel in journalism, and this earned himself a good fortune. In his spiritual nobility, he treats his friend with excellent beer and gives advice to engage in journalistic activities. Georges has been invited to tomorrow's dinner and receives forty francs from Forestier. This money is enough to rent a good suit.
This was the start interesting history. Forestier is married to a graceful and pretty blonde. Wife's friend - a burning brunette Mrs. Marelle has a daughter. The publisher of the newspaper "French Life" Mr. Walter, a deputy and a very wealthy person, also pleased everyone with his visit. In addition, he was also a famous poet. Duroy is lost in four glasses and hardly copes with a fork, although he quickly orients himself among these very gifted gentlemen. Finally, the conversation turned to Algeria. As if in cold water Duroy enters into a conversation with opponents and, of course, they begin to ask him a bunch of questions. He felt the attention of interested female glances. Forstier quickly takes advantage of this moment and asks Walter to take a friend to his newspaper. Duroy receives his first informal commission: to write a couple of essays about his service in Algeria. Georges managed to win over Lorina, the little daughter of Madame Marelle. He quietly cradles her on his knees, and her mother watches with admiration the beautiful new guest.
It seemed that happiness knew no bounds. All thanks to his irresistible appearance and skills. It remains only to fulfill the order given to him and bring it to Walter by three o'clock.
Georges wastes no time and begins to work. Here it is already displayed: "Memoirs of an African shooter." He took advantage of Mrs. Walther's help and deduced this name. It’s a pity that no one helped him in further writing and everything stopped. It's one thing to talk at the sight of beautiful ladies with a glass of wine, but writing is quite another! Georges decides to leave this occupation until the morning.
In the morning, all efforts were in vain and the newly minted writer asks his friend Forestier for help. He, referring to cases in the newspaper, sends him to his wife, who, according to him, can help.
Mrs. Forestier, having seated Georges at a comfortable table and after listening to him, already after 15 minutes began to dictate neat lines to him. And now, the work is ready - luck is now on his side! He is accepted into the Chronicle Department and is finally able to leave his hated job in the Northern railway. Here George acts like a true gentleman: first he receives a salary for the whole month, and only then, having rude the authorities from head to toe, he leaves in a pleasant mood ...
...and again finds himself in an absurd situation. The second article is very difficult. It's good that he already knows how to solve such problems. He again asks for help from Madame Forestier. But her husband is at home and informs Georges that he is not going to do the work for him.
Duroy, offended by his friend, decides to write everything himself. Let's look at them when his article is printed! But they didn’t print even after all kinds of edits, too. Georges decided to leave the writing of articles and goes into simple reporters.
And here he was waiting for success. The reason for everything was his incredible craftiness, arrogance and charm. Mr. Walter is pleased with the new employee. Georges received a salary twice as much as in the office, but happiness did not last long. As you know, the more money a person has, the less they are enough to live on. Georges easily managed to follow the lives of great people, but he himself always remained behind the scenes. He's a respected... reporter and there's nothing you can do about it. He is accepted the richest people to their offices only as a newspaperman. Georges again feels impoverished, although people with pockets full of cash work in his own newspaper. They have beautiful wives and chic houses. Duroy begins to overcome envy.
Alas, he does not know the answer to all his questions, but he is excellent at using his power. He remembered Madame de Marelle, the one who had been with her daughter at Forestier's dinner party. She made it clear to Georges that she was always at home only until three o'clock. A visit to her excited him a little, but de Marelle is the embodiment of grace and warm hospitality. He receives an invitation to a restaurant with the Forestiers.
The food he ate was excellent! Yes, and the situation in a separate restaurant office was conducive to conversation. Madame de Marelle had drunk a good deal, and Georges accompanied her home. While still in the carriage, Georges, overcoming slight indecision, rushed to the attack. De Marel could not resist and immediately he took possession of her.
The next day, Georges is already having breakfast with his lover. He continues to play love, but still tries to fight shyness. He does not know how the further course of events will go. Laurent runs into the room and joyfully runs towards him. She considers Georges her friend and it's charming. Clotilde, that's the name of de Marelle, is also an excellent hostess. And for dates, she rented a small modest apartment. But this caused Georges dissatisfaction, because he could not afford to pay for an apartment, although it was paid for by Clotilde. She begs him to agree to this and he eventually agrees, considering it completely fair. Her beauty never ceases to amaze him.
Georges is increasingly in financial need, but after each date he finds in his pockets a couple of gold coins of Clotilde. This state of affairs clearly does not suit him, but he quickly puts up with it and continues to keep track of his debt simply to calm his soul.
But here lovers quarrel. Most likely a gap. Georges intends to take revenge by fully repaying all debts, but he still has not a penny. He asks his friend Forestier for help, but he gives him only a miserable handout - ten francs. Georges decides to take revenge on him and cuckold an old friend - the man who helped him.
The attack on Madame Foretier ends in complete failure. She is also friendly and kind, but she definitely does not want to become a mistress. In response to all sorts of temptations from Duroy, she offers friendship, and this is already more serious than just cuckolding. The first friendly advice came in handy and Georges pays a visit to Madame Walter.
A week after this visit, Georges takes over the chronicle department and is invited by the Walter family to dinner. That's the price of friendly advice!
At the dinner party, Georges was waiting significant event. However, Dear friend still does not even suspect what kind of event this is. It will be presented to the publishers' two daughters, aged sixteen and eighteen. One of the bottoms is very pretty, the other is a simple ugly girl. But Georges again began to worry about Clotilde - still the same irresistible and seductive. They reconcile and love harmony triumphed.
Suddenly, Forestier falls ill. His weakness, cough and rapid weight loss suggests that he does not have long left. According to Clotilde, his wife will immediately marry another, not having time to recover from a heavy loss. And then Georges begins to think hard about the future. Meanwhile, his wife took Forestier south for treatment. At the farewell meeting, the Dear Friend assures Madame Forestier that he will help in any way he can.
Of course, help was not long in coming. After some time, Mrs. Forestier asks him to visit them in Cannes and help her in every possible way to cope with her dying husband. Georges goes on a trip and conscientiously fulfills all promises. Until his death, he managed to establish himself as a reliable friend and just a kind person.
Everything went as planned! Georges soon marries the widow Forestier. Now in his environment there is a wonderful assistant - just a genius of true political intrigues. He received a title of nobility, a luxurious house. Georges was no longer satisfied with his last name and he divides it into syllables in combination with the name of his native village. Now he is called du Roy de Cantel.
In the face of his wife, he found a true friend, but friendship in their understanding has certain limits. Why, pray tell, did the most intelligent Madeleine tell her Dear Friend that Madame Walter secretly loves him? Moreover, she conveys to him her words that if Georges were free, it would be handy for him to marry her daughter Suzanne.
And he goes back to thinking. Madame Walter, by the way, is also very charming. Georges starts his game. This time the object is full of contradictions, but very respectable. A dear friend manages to drive Walter out of a trap and she reveals a secret to him.
Laroche, being Minister of Foreign Affairs, in company with Mr. Walter, want to make big money on a military expedition to Morocco. They are immediately buying Moroccan loan bonds for next to nothing, the value of which is about to rise. Georges is free to buy some of these shares. The idea turned out to be wonderful: they earned tens of millions.
The Moroccan gates of Tangen have already been captured! Walter buys a luxurious mansion with a wonderful garden. Duroy is not in the mood again. Big money slipped past him again. It is good that his wife inherited a very serious capital, and Georges took half from her, but still this did not bring him the expected euphoria. But for the daughter of Walter Susanna twenty million as a dowry.
Georges managed to track down his wife. Together with the morality police, he found her with Laroche. One blow was enough to knock down the minister and announce a divorce. Walter was clearly against marrying Susanna, however, during the presence of Georges in their house, he managed to firmly win over his daughter and they run away from home together. Suzanne is compromised and Walter is obligated to conduct the wedding.
Finally, Georges Duroy achieved everything he wanted, he forgot to think about heat and cold and that he once wanted beer.
The summary of the novel "Dear Friend" was retold by Osipova A.S.
Please note that this is only summary literary work"Dear friend". This summary omits many important points and quotations.