Book Club: Bel Ami Chapters 1-231
Posted by Joy // Categories: Book Club // Tags: Bel Ami
We’re kicking off our book club with chapters 1 & 2 of Bel Ami by Guy de Maupassant. Comments are open, so please discuss freely with your fellow readers and, most importantly, have fun! We’ve posted a few discussion questions below to get the conversation started, but feel free to ignore them and start your own discussions!
Spoiler Warning! Comments will contain book spoilers for the chapters being discussed; however, we do ask that those who have read ahead in the book not spoil future chapters for those who haven’t!
Discussion Questions
1. What was your first impression of Georges Duroy when he was introduced in chapter 1? Did your impression change at all by the end of chapter 2?
2. What was your favorite scene/line in these two chapters? Why?
31
My first impression of Georges in chapter one was that he was really down on his luck and envious of what other people had. He was handsome, muscular, an ex-military person but despite all his physical assets Paris was not an easy place for him to live.
My first impression was very similar. As I read more into chapter two I noticed Georges' confidence growing. He seemed to not think much of his looks before he saw himself full in the mirror.
I agree that his confidence was growing, but I believe he was taking pleasure in seeing himself full in the mirror - as someone who already knew he was good looking.
I can see that, when going back over it, he was more down on his attire than his physical features. He was happy with what he saw in the full mirror and it seemed an ego boost.
I think he is a true egotist. Most women, myself included, look into a mirror and begin picking apart their reflected image. Not Georges-he was thrilled with himself. I see my flaws but he felt himself an Adonis-like figure. I have never been fully satisfied with the way I "look". I tend to say "I'll pass" not "look at me, I am perfect"……… I can't say that I have encountered a man like Georges, such a smoozer. It is probably a good thing, too, because I'd have to hurt him. :)
Georges seemed to get braver in chapter two, I agree. He complained about his clothing until he saw himself, as previously mentioned, in the mirrors. He was very gracious during dinner probably observing what the other guests were doing and carefully listening (military skills). He was worried about manners- the silverware and wine glasses.
I did get the feeling that Georges was very ill at ease with the women he encountered at the Follies. He was very cautious and "proper" fearing rebuke. Forestier warned him to be careful.
Georges was lucky that he encountered Forestier when he did. I was not sure whether he expected the help his pal offered him because they were officers together or not.
Clearly the gears were turning. Forestier was more than willing to give Georges tips for pulling off the "con", too. Perhaps a guy thing at that time in Paris?! It seemed, too, that each character was out to improve personal position, a "me first" attitude. The womwn were not innocent .
The "me first" attitude is certainly a prevalent theme throughout the book and it's interesting that it has already surfaced in the first chapters. Do you think Forestier was actually trying to help Georges out or his help came out of self-interest only?
I think there was a kinship there, an unwritten pact, if you will between these soldiers. Later though when Forestier has hired Georges and given him the "foot-up" that changes. He is an underling reporting to Forestier in a society where position matters and wealth speaks. Forestier has done his good deed. Georges must fend for himself.
When I started reading about Georges I felt so uncomfortable: he's pictured as a sort of "bad guy", in a subtle way, and this is unusual if you think that he's the protagonist! Although I see also a kind of naivety in his actions that doesn't make me hate him totally; in fact he's just now entering the world he wants to live in, he has no experience at all… Oh, how I'd like to be a little like him! I'd like to be so self-confident when I look at myself in the mirror! :)
I really enjoy that he is s thoroughly corrupt protagonist. It's a relief to read a novel with an anti-hero!
Yes… at least for once my self-esteem is not so bruised! I can't relate to characters that look always so perfect! Finally a human one! Even if he's a mean one… mmm… that makes me think…
By the end of chapter 2 Georges was very confident as he had made a good impression with both the men and the women. He was in!
"He surveyed himself some time with a complacent smile; then taking leave of his image, he bowed, ceremoniously, as if saluting some grand personage."
Finally here's the chance he was waiting for! He went to Paris to live a better life, to become someone, and now the moment has come! He's not scared at all! He's so excited and self-confident!
I must say that this will be an interesting role for Robert Pattinson to play. It can't be PG-13!
As I started reading the book I tried to imagine Rob as Georges, acting like he does… it's so weird! I think this is the first "bad" character he plays! What a challenge! Can you see Rob's face when you read about Georges? I can't!
I have thought about that, too. This will be quite "an act "for him to pull off. He is not like this at all-even on a bad day! I am very glad that the powers that be decided against the mustache!!!
I think Rob has the passionate graces for any love scenes. Having said that, I do not believe that the romantic involvements are based on anything but lust and greed love.
"We're not in Forks any more"…..
I was realizing that Rob's European movies are so different from American ones! Hollywood always sees him as the "good guy", and it seems that in Europe he can risk more, and maybe express himself better… Probably those movies are a sort of fresh air for him. I'm glad he doesn't let people stereotype him!
And I think it will be so weird to me to see him as Georges (without mustache, thank God!)! But I can't wait to!
I really look forward to this film, too. I agree that European movies are not afraid to brave novels like this one. The public is more accustomed to nudity, language and social issues. The social climbing depicted in this book were/are still going on. The way people use language and how they dress are different.
I have really enjoyed our first book club meeting. I must go, however. Have a wonderful evening. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I hope to see you back next weekend. Until then, I bid you goodbye. Many Blessings.
Thanks for joining us!
You have been a very gracious host. Many thanks :)
I have to go, too! It's 1.12 a.m. here in Italy, and I must sleep!! But I couldn't miss the book club, it's been amazing! See you soon!
Thank you for staying up and joining us!
I thought the same thing about Robert playing this wicked character…how would he do it…How would he convince me he was such a…well…shit. We shall see. I know right off in chapter one, I thought Georges arrogant, and a bit " woe is me" He reminded me of Edgar Allen Poe in his letters to his father asking for money. Wanting things, but not wanting to work for them. Clearly DeRoy was not above trading on his looks and magnatism to get ahead. Funny how the world was so closed off, yet every woman in town was so avialable to him. I kept waiting for a redeeming quality to emerge…by chapter two, I had not given up on hoping he would be a decent person.
Georges does have some saving graces but they never out-shine the total "use" of others for his benefit. His interaction with Clotilde's daughter was not innocent but he was decent to the child. He certainly was a quick study,by the end of the evening, he was one of them. He cautiously made sure that he addressed the guests with title and befitting manners, like he had been a part of their circle for years.
It was not "just" Georges who was creepy. The entire group was looking for "something else"! No one was satisfied with status quo…Of course this is more obvious a bit later in the book. It is not normal behavior for most people. I generally seek to be a better person, of course, we all have bad days that we regret later. I would never compromise my values or my virtue to raise my social position. It is a daily thing with this crowd. There is always the "what's in it for me" angle working. Not one of them is thankful for what they have been blessed with because they all want more than what they've got… Almost manic behavior masked by "prim and proper behavior"-fancy dresses, white gloves, elaborate dinners, top hats, etc… Where are the normal people-the ones that you want to be around because they are fun to be with? I am surprised that they all aren't as sick as Forestier-vd comes to mind!My Dad used to have this expression: "You can put a hat on a donkey but he's still an ass!" Way to go Dad , I get it now! You can probably tell that I was raised on a farm :)
Good Morning PattinsonOnline 32p……………Would you please consider posting the chapter 3 & 4 questions on Saturday? I would like to have some time to think and research prior to our meeting on Sunday. Thank you for your consideration. I am so enjoying this book club!
I was thinking, too, that it was all about "getting" and never about "enjoying" what you had; or for that matter, sharing your bounty freely with others. Everything shared was done so in such a calculated way,a master level Chess game, to climb higher. All those fancy dinners with others were not just to catch up with friends and have a few laughs. They were used to size up the competition, to plot their next move. To show off what they had to others.
The bored youth of today surely are like the Bel Ami circle. Many of them have never worked a day in their lives-I mean like shovelling out a barn! How can you appreciate "down time" when you have not done anything to earn it? There were many Friday nights in high school that I could have gone to a game. I was so tired from the daily chores at 4am before the bus came at 6:30am, classes, home for pm chores, homework, dinner,…. If I had done anything on the weekend at night, I still had to be up at 4am the next day regardless. Kind of like that movie "Ground Hog Day" LOL.
I never felt that I was abused or over-worked. That was what was expected. I also never felt that I was poor or that my parents did not love me. We were blessed to have what we had and thankful for our blessings…