Put an end to it

This month we’re going to look at a story that I think has an interesting ending, which raises some questions. The Dowry by Guy de Maupassant is a fairly short and simple story, but demonstrates some effective narrative techniques. As always, you will benefit most from this masterclass if you read the story for yourself: https://writ.rs/thedowry.

The ending to the story is somewhat inconclusive, but before we think about that, let’s look at how we get there. There are a few secondary characters (as well as what de Maupassant refers to as a collection of caricatures) in the story, but mainly it revolves around Simon Lebrument and his new bride, Jeanne. As you read the story for the first time, ask yourself a couple of questions. Firstly, at what point did you realise that Simon was a wrong ‘un? And secondly, at what point does Jeanne realise that all is lost.

If this had been a TV drama there might have