Bel Ami Foreshadowing Analysis

The Importance of Foreshadowing and Visual Imagery in Bel-Ami

Guy De Maupassant’s novel, Bel-Ami about a disheartened, poor former French soldier who becomes wealthy and powerful through corruption, coercion and most importantly exploitation of women presents the reader with a look in to the future from the very first chapters. Through close examination

Bored, discontented and feeling unfulfilled by his time as an NCO, Georges Duroy journeys to Paris in hopes of finding a better future. Although his parents wish for him to return to their countryside home, Georges has dreams of a fortune in Paris. He is not worried about how he will go about achieving such a fortune, for he knows that women are unable to resist him and it is evident in
He had figured out how to make his salary last and allocate it accordingly until he got paid again. When Georges runs into Foresiter, he describes his lifestyle to him. Although Georges does so unhappily, it is without any real alternative. Georges says, “You’re right. But what else can I do? I’m alone, I don’t know anyone, there’s no one who I can go to for help. It’s not the will that’s lacking, I just haven’t got the means.” He then goes on to describe a possible future as a riding master at a school. It seems as if Georges has accepted his squalor and instead of being miserable and disgusted, he budgets both his time and money to make his life bearable and functional. This acceptance with his living conditions until one literally sees a better possibility is often the case with foreigners who immigrate to this country. Like Georges many immigrants come to America without a plan as to how, but with a dream of making a fortune and the clothes on their back. Upon arriving, they don’t lack a will to better their conditions, but a means like Georges. It is not until they venture out of the neighborhood and paltry