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 protagonist 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 her 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.

Year of publication of the book: 1885

Guy de Maupassant's novel "Dear Friend" is one of the most famous works of the famous French classic. It was filmed nine times in different countries, and the number of reprints of the work is simply incalculable. The last adaptation of the book "Dear Friend" was made in 2012 and was a great success. The phrases and characters of the novel are reflected in many creative directions around the world. And the novel by Guy de Maupassant remains relevant to this day.

Books "Dear friend" summary

In Guy de Maupassant's novel "Dear Friend" you can read about the events unfolding around the son of a wealthy peasant - Georges Duroy. Nature did not deprive him of an attractive appearance, and this allowed him to enjoy the attention of women. Not so long ago, he returned from the army, where he had a chance to fight in Algeria. There he was used to sticking out his chest, robbing and killing Arabs, but here in Paris it was not customary to earn money with a revolver. Therefore, he, like the main character, wanders around Paris with three francs in his pocket, hoping for a chance. And this case does not accept to happen. He meets a colleague Charles Forestier, who is now quite rich and works as a journalist. He invites Georges to a party he is hosting tomorrow. And she gives him forty francs to rent a decent suit.

Further, in the summary of Maupassant's "Dear Friend", you can read about how Duroy gets to receive a colleague. Forestier has an attractive young wife who has invited her friend Madame de Morel with her daughter. In addition, a well-known feuilletonist, poet and, of course, a rich man and publisher of the French Life newspaper, Mr. Walter, who works for Forestier, is invited to the evening. At first, Duroy has a hard time. He does not know what to do with four glasses, a knife and a fork. But he learns very quickly. In a conversation, it is quite difficult for him, but when it comes to Algeria, he also decides to enter into a conversation. All in all, the evening went well. Georges charmed the daughter of Madame Morel - Lorina and her mother, and also received an order for three essays on Algeria. Forestier helped him in this.

Guy de Maupassant's novel "Dear Friend" you can read online on the Top Books website.

Guy de Maupassant's novel "Dear Friend" you can download for free on the top books website.

To Guy de Maupassant's question "Dear friend", you can tell me what it says so that I can understand. briefly! given by the author I love simply! the best answer is Guy de Maupassant
Dear friend (summary)
Georges Duroy, the son of prosperous peasants, keepers of a tavern, by the whim of nature, is endowed with a happy appearance. He is slender, tall, blond, he has a wonderful mustache ... He is very popular with women, and he is in Paris. But he has three francs in his pocket, and he won't get his pay until two days later. He is hot, he wants beer ... Duroy wanders around Paris and waits for an opportunity that must present itself, right? The case is most likely a woman. So it will be. All his cases will come from women ... In the meantime, he meets Forestier. They served together in Algiers. Georges Duroy did not want to be the first in the village and tried his luck in military service. For two years he robbed and killed Arabs. During this time, he developed the habit of walking with his chest puffed out and taking what he wanted. And in Paris you can stick out your chest and push passers-by, but here it is not customary to mine gold with a revolver in your hand. But the fat Forestier succeeded: he is a journalist, he is a wealthy man, he is complacent - he treats an old friend with beer and advises him to take up journalism. He invites Georges to dinner the next day and gives him two louis (forty francs) so that he can rent a decent suit.
Since this all started. Forestier, it turns out, has a wife - an elegant, very pretty blonde. Her friend is a burning brunette Madame de Marelle with her little daughter. Mr. Walter, deputy, rich man, publisher of the newspaper "French Life" granted. There is also a famous feuilletonist and a famous poet ... And Duroy does not know how to handle a fork and does not know how to deal with four glasses ... But he quickly orients himself on the ground. And here - oh, how by the way! - the conversation went about Algeria. Georges Duroy enters into a conversation like cold water, but he is asked questions ... He is in the center of attention, and the ladies do not take their eyes off him! And Forestier, a friend of Forestier, does not miss the moment and asks his dear patron, Mr. Walter, to take Georges to work in the newspaper ... Well, we'll see, but for now Georges has been ordered two or three essays on Algeria. And another thing: Georges tamed Lorina, Madame de Marelle's little daughter. He kisses the girl and rocks her on his knee, and the mother is amazed and says that M. Duroy is irresistible.
How happily everything began! And all because he is so handsome and well done ... All that remains is to write this damn essay and bring it to Mr. Walter by three o'clock tomorrow.
And Georges Duroy gets down to work. Diligently and beautifully, he displays the title on a clean sheet: "Memoirs of an African shooter." This name was suggested by Mrs. Walter. But things don't go any further. Who knew that it was one thing to chat at the table with a glass in hand, when the ladies did not take their eyes off you, and it was quite another thing to write! A diabolical difference ... But nothing, the morning is wiser than the evening.
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Answer from 2 answers[guru]

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 has gone through a huge number of 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 his natural charm, the 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 mankind, 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 a 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, the son of wealthy peasants, keepers of a vegetable marrow, is endowed with a happy appearance by the whim of nature. He is slim, tall, blond, he has a wonderful mustache ... He is very popular with women, and he is in Paris. But he has three francs in his pocket, and he won't get his pay until two days later. He is hot, he wants beer ... Duroy wanders around Paris and waits for an opportunity that should present itself, right? The case is most likely a woman. So it will be. All his cases will come from women ... In the meantime, he meets Forestier.

They served together in Algiers. Georges Duroy did not want to be the first in the village and tried his luck in military service. For two years he robbed and killed Arabs. During this time, he developed the habit of walking with his chest puffed out and taking what he wanted. And in Paris you can stick out your chest and push passers-by, but here it is not customary to mine gold with a revolver in your hand.

But the fat Forestier succeeded: he is a journalist, he is a wealthy man, he is complacent - he treats an old friend with beer and advises him to take up journalism. He invites Georges to dinner the next day and gives him two louis (forty francs) so that he can rent a decent suit.

Since this all started. Forestier, it turns out, has a wife - an elegant, very pretty blonde. Her friend is a burning brunette Madame de Marelle with her little daughter. Mr. Walter, deputy, rich man, publisher of the newspaper "French Life" granted. There is also a famous feuilletonist and a famous poet... And Duroy does not know how to handle a fork and does not know how to deal with four glasses... But he quickly orients himself on the ground. And here - oh, how by the way! - the conversation went about Algeria. Georges Duroy enters the conversation like cold water, but he is asked questions ... He is in the center of attention, and the ladies do not take their eyes off him! And Forestier, a friend of Forestier, does not miss the moment and asks his dear patron, Mr. Walter, to take Georges to work in the newspaper ... Well, we'll see, but for now Georges has been ordered two or three essays on Algeria. And one more thing: Georges tamed Lorina, Madame de Marelle's little daughter. He kisses the girl and rocks her on his knee, and the mother is amazed and says that M. Duroy is irresistible.

How happily everything began! And all because he is so handsome and well done ... All that remains is to write this damn essay and bring it to Mr. Walter by three o'clock tomorrow.

And Georges Duroy gets down to work. Diligently and beautifully, he displays the title on a clean sheet: "Memoirs of an African shooter." This name was suggested by Mrs. Walter. But things don't go any further. Who knew that it was one thing to chat at the table with a glass in hand, when the ladies did not take their eyes off you, and it was quite another thing to write! Devilish difference ... But nothing, the morning is wiser than the evening.

But in the morning it's not like that. Efforts are in vain. And Georges Duroy decides to ask his friend Forestier for help. However, Forestier hurries to the newspaper, he sends Georges to his wife: she, they say, will help no worse.

Madame Forestier seated Georges at the table, listened to him, and after a quarter of an hour began dictating an article. Luck carries him. The article is printed - what happiness! He was accepted into the chronicle department, and finally it is possible to leave the hated office of the Northern Railway forever. Georges does everything correctly and accurately: first he received a salary for a month at the box office, and only then he was rude at parting to the boss - he enjoyed it.

One is not good. The second article is not published. But this is not a problem - you need to take one more lesson from Ms. Forestier, and this is a pleasure. Here, however, no luck: Forestier himself was at home and told Georges that, they say, he did not intend to work instead of him ... Pig!

Duroy is angry and will do the article himself, without any help. You'll see!.. And he made an article, wrote. Only it was not accepted: it was considered unsatisfactory. He redid it. Again not accepted. After three alterations, Georges spat and completely went into reporting.

This is where he turned around. His slyness, charm and arrogance came in very handy. M. Walter himself is satisfied with Duroy's employee. Only one thing is bad: getting twice as much in the newspaper than in the office, Georges felt like a rich man, but this did not last so long. The more money, the more they are missing! And then: after all, he looked into the world of big people, but remained outside this world. He is lucky, he serves in the newspaper, he has acquaintances and connections, he enters the offices, but ... only as a reporter. Georges Duroy is still a poor man and day laborer. And here, nearby, in their own newspaper - here they are! - people with pockets full of gold, they have luxurious houses and spicy wives ... Why do they have all this? Why not him? There is some mystery here.

Georges Duroy does not know the solution, but he knows what his strength is. And he remembers Madame de Marelle, the one who was with her daughter at Forestier's dinner. “I’m always at home until three o’clock,” she said then. Georges called at half past two. Of course he was agitated, but Madame de Marelle is the very hospitality, the very gracefulness. And Lorina treats him like a friend ... And now Georges is invited to dinner in a restaurant, where they will be with Madame de Marelle and the Forestier spouses - two couples.

Dinner in a separate office is refined, lengthy and spicy with casual, light chatter on the verge of obscenity. Madame de Marelle promised to get drunk and kept her promise. Georges accompanies her. In the carriage, he is indecisive for some time, but it seems that she moved her leg ... He rushed to the attack, she surrendered. Finally, he mastered a real secular woman!

The next day, Duroy has breakfast with his beloved. He is still timid, does not know how things will go on, but she is charmingly sweet, and Georges plays falling in love ... And it is so easy in relation to such a magnificent woman! Then Lorina enters and joyfully runs to him: “Ah, dear friend!” So Georges Duroy got his name. And Madame de Marelle - her name is Clotilde - turned out to be a delightful mistress. She hired a small apartment for their dates. Georges is dissatisfied: he can't afford it... No, it's already been paid! No, he can't let that happen... She begs, more, more, and he... yields, believing that it's actually fair. No, but how sweet she is!

Georges is completely penniless, but after each meeting he finds one or two gold coins in his vest pocket. He is outraged! Then he gets used to it. Only to calm his conscience keeps counting his debt to Clotilde.

It so happened that the lovers quarreled a lot. It looks like it's a break. Georges dreams - in the form of revenge - to return the debt to Clotilde. But there is no money. And Forestier, in response to a request for money, lent ten francs - a miserable handout. Nothing, Georges will repay him, he will cuckold the old Friend. Moreover, he now knows how easy it is.

But what is it? The attack on Madame Forestier was immediately bogged down. She is affable and frank: she will never become Duroy's mistress, but she offers him her friendship. Perhaps it is more expensive than Forestier's horns! And here is the first friendly advice; pay a visit to Mrs. Walter.

The dear friend managed to show himself to Mrs. Walter and her guests, and not a week goes by, and he is already appointed head of the chronicle department and invited to dinner with the Walters. Such is the price of friendly advice.

An important event happened at Walter's dinner, but Dear friend does not yet know that this is an important event: he is introduced to the publisher's two daughters - eighteen and sixteen years old (one is ugly, the other is pretty, like a doll). But another thing Georges could not help but notice, Clotilde is still seductive and sweet. They reconciled and the connection was restored.

Forestier is sick, he is losing weight, coughing, and it is clear that he is not a tenant. Clotilde says by the way that Forestier's wife will not be slow to get married as soon as everything is over, and Dear Friend thought about it. In the meantime, the wife took the poor Forestier to the south - to be treated. At parting, Georges asks Madame Forestier to count on his friendly help.

And help was needed: Madame Forestier asks Duroy to come to Cannes, not to leave her alone with her dying husband. A dear friend feels the open space before him. He goes to Cannes and conscientiously fulfills a friendly duty. Until the end. Georges Duroy was able to show Madeleine Forestier that he was a dear friend, a wonderful and kind person.

And everything worked out! Georges marries the widow Forestier. Now he has an amazing assistant - a genius behind the scenes of journalism and political play ... And he has a beautifully arranged house, and he has now become a nobleman: he divided his last name into syllables and took the name of his native village, he is now du Roi de Cantel.

He and his wife are friends. But friendship must also know its limits... Ah, why does such a clever Madeleine tell Georges out of friendship that Madame Walter is crazy about him?... And even worse: she says that if Georges were free, she would advise him to marry Susanna, Walther's pretty daughter.

The dear friend thought again. And Mrs. Walter, if you look closely, it's still very much even nothing ... There is no plan, but Georges starts the game. This time, the object is respectable and is fighting desperately with itself, but the Dear Friend has overlaid it from all sides and drives it into a trap. And drove. The hunt is over, but the prey wants to go to the hunter again and again. He has other things to do. Then Madame Walter reveals a secret to the hunter.

Military expedition to Morocco resolved. Walter and Laroche, the foreign minister, want to cash in on this. They bought Moroccan bonds at a low price, but their value will skyrocket soon. They make tens of millions. Georges can also buy before it's too late.

Tangier - the gateway to Morocco - is captured. Walter has fifty million, he bought a luxurious mansion with a garden. And Duroy is angry: again he does not have big money. True, the wife inherited a million from a friend, and Georges chopped off half of it, but that's not it. Here is Susanna, Walter's daughter, twenty million dowry...

Georges with the vice police hunts down his wife. She was caught with Minister Laroche. A dear friend knocked down the minister with one blow and got a divorce. But Walter would never give up Susanna for him! This also has its own way. It was not for nothing that he seduced Madame Walter: while Georges dined and had breakfast with her, he became friends with Susanna, she believes him. And dear friend took the pretty little fool away. She's compromised, and her father has nowhere to go.

Georges Duroy with his young wife leaves the church. He sees the Chamber of Deputies, he sees the Bourbon Palace. He has achieved everything.

But he will never be hot or cold again. He would never crave beer so badly.

retold