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Guy de Maupassant Timbuctoo Summary

The story describes a vibrant scene on a boulevard in Paris during sunset, where a diverse crowd is illuminated by the golden light. An enormous, exuberant negro named Timbuctoo approaches two officers, one a commander and the other a colonel, and reminisces about their time together during the war of 1870.

Timbuctoo, a former prince from Timbuctoo, had a unique influence over a group of undisciplined soldiers, leading them on mysterious expeditions. The officers discover that Timbuctoo’s source of alcohol was a nearby vineyard, where he and his companions would consume grapes until they were intoxicated.

Despite his eccentric behavior, Timbuctoo’s infectious joy and larger-than-life personality leave a lasting impression on those around him. The narrator is called to witness a strange caravan approaching his location, led by Timbuctoo and his comrades. They are carrying severed heads and have adorned animals with similar heads.

The Africans had encountered a detachment of Prussians and instead of fleeing, they attacked and killed several officers. Timbuctoo’s motivation for fighting was not glory, but personal gain.

Timbuctoo has a large pocket called his “profonde” where he collects valuable items, especially those that glisten. He plans to take these items back to his homeland. The general, upon hearing of Timbuctoo’s act of valor, buries the headless bodies to hide the decapitation. In retaliation, the Prussians execute the mayor and seven other villagers.

As winter arrives, the narrator’s troops are exhausted and desperate. Timbuctoo brings the narrator meat, but the narrator suspects it may be human flesh and declines future presents.

Timbuctoo shows his devotion to the narrator by giving him his cape to keep warm. When the narrator tries to return it, Timbuctoo threatens to cut it with his sharpened sword.

Eventually, the troops surrender to the Germans. The narrator encounters Timbuctoo, who has opened a restaurant called “Restaurant Timbuctoo” and proudly serves food made from captured Prussians.

Despite the despair of losing their town to the Germans, the narrator finds humor in Timbuctoo’s new enterprise and considers it a form of retaliation.

Guy de Maupassant Tombstones Summary

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Guy de Maupassant After Summary

The story revolves around a conversation between the Comtesse and the Abbe Mauduit, where the Abbe shares his reasons for choosing a life of priesthood over marriage and family. The Abbe reveals that his sensitive nature and early experiences led him to fear life’s inevitable sorrows and sufferings.

He recounts a poignant story of his deep attachment to a dog named Sam, whose tragic death made him realize the extent of his emotional vulnerability. This event prompted him to choose a life of service to others, as he believed it would shield him from direct emotional pain.

The Abbe’s narrative highlights the profound impact of early experiences on shaping one’s outlook on life and relationships. His extreme sensitivity and fear of suffering led him to seek a path of selflessness and compassion, despite the ongoing emotional struggles he faces.

The Abbe’s story serves as a reflection on the complexities of human emotions and the choices individuals make to navigate life’s challenges.

The Comtesse’s response, expressing her reliance on her grandchildren for the courage to live, adds another layer to the discussion on the importance of relationships and connections in finding meaning and strength in life.

The Abbe’s departure at the end of the conversation symbolizes his acceptance of his chosen path and the solitude that comes with it.

The story prompts contemplation on the different ways individuals cope with life’s uncertainties and hardships, and the role of relationships in providing solace and purpose.

Guy de Maupassant Timbuctoo Summary

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Guy de Maupassant A Warning Note Summary

The letter received by the writer details a conversation with a married woman who reveals her thoughts on relationships and infidelity. The woman expresses her views on how men and women interact in secret, highlighting the differences between timid men and bold seducers.

She shares her experiences of deception and infidelity, emphasizing the thrill and danger involved. The woman’s candid revelations shock the writer, prompting him to question societal norms and the nature of relationships.

The writer is left feeling conflicted and disturbed by the woman’s nonchalant attitude towards infidelity and deception. The conversation serves as a warning to husbands and a call to action for greater awareness and vigilance in relationships. The writer’s internal struggle reflects a broader societal concern about trust, fidelity, and the complexities of human interactions.

The narrator witnesses a woman throwing her glass at a chandelier during a fit of anger, causing a mess in the dining room. The woman then tries to do the same with a bottle, but the narrator stops her. The woman bursts into tears, indicating a nervous fit.

The narrator later attends a party with a woman recommended by his mistress. He offers to drive her home and contemplates making a move on her. With a surge of courage, he compliments her appearance, but she responds with amusement.

The narrator struggles to find a suitable response but eventually admits he never dared to tell her before. The woman is surprised and encourages him to always compliment women.

The narrator attempts to kiss her but fails, as she avoids contact and warns him about her styled hair. The woman thanks him for escorting her home and advises him not to forget her advice. The narrator continues to think about men who are more successful with women.

Guy de Maupassant After Summary

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Guy de Maupassant The Oliver Grove Summary

The story describes the arrival of Abbé Vilbois, a priest with a colorful past, in the village of Garandou. Despite his adventurous appearance and past as a society man, he has found solace in the priesthood after a tumultuous love affair with an actress.

The priest’s transformation from a man of passion to a man of faith is highlighted, as he seeks refuge in prayer and devotion after the betrayal of his lover. His dedication to the Church and his community is evident, as he uses his fortune to support charitable causes and help the less fortunate.

Despite his past, the Abbé remains a complex character, torn between his former life and his newfound calling. His journey from a man of the world to a humble village priest is a testament to the transformative power of faith and redemption.

The sailor who followed the priest refrains from talking due to the priest’s prestige. The priest enjoys his lodge, a small pink structure surrounded by olive trees. The priest asks his servant, Marguerite, to broil a sunfish for him. Marguerite informs the priest that a man came to see him three times.

The man approaching the priest reveals a photograph of the priest, claiming to be his son. The priest initially denies having a child, but the man insists that his mother, now deceased, told him the truth. The priest suggests discussing the matter further and they walk through an olive grove.

The priest asks about the mother’s death and why the man didn’t find him earlier. The man explains that he was unable to find the priest and mentions his hunger. The priest shows pity and they go to have dinner together, with the servant’s disapproval.

The tramp, referred to as Philippe-Auguste, is eating with the abbé, who has lost his appetite. Philippe-Auguste reveals that he is the abbé’s son, but was raised to believe he was the child of another man. Philippe-Auguste explains that his mother deceived the abbé by making him believe that Philippe-Auguste was his rival’s child. However, when Philippe-Auguste started to resemble the abbé, his mother’s lover disclaimed him.

The abbé is distressed by the moral divergencies between himself, Philippe-Auguste, and his rival. He prays for mercy and wants to hear all the details to confirm if Philippe-Auguste is truly his son. Philippe-Auguste reveals that his mother lived with the abbé’s rival for over thirty years. He describes the arguments between his mother and her lover, where the abbé was mentioned but never by name.

The abbé asks about his mother’s death, and Philippe-Auguste reveals that she died of consumption after being ill for eighteen months. The abbé reflects on how he had buried her in forgetfulness but now desires to know more. Philippe-Auguste explains that he was treated well at first but poorly later on. His mother and her lover sent him to a reformatory when he was sixteen to get rid of him. He shares stories of his adventures since leaving the reformatory, including a prank that resulted in the death of a family.

Philippe-Auguste claims to have committed worse offenses to avenge the abbé. The abbé is terrified and stops eating, but Philippe-Auguste insists on sharing his latest offense. The abbé calls for the dessert and a lamp, and instructs Marguerite, the servant, to leave and not return until summoned. The abbé is now ready to hear Philippe-Auguste’s story.

Philippe-Auguste calmly enjoyed his dessert and wine, revealing his dark past of revenge against his father. His mother, Rosette, confessed on her deathbed that his father was the Baron de Vilbois, now a priest. Philippe sought revenge on his father, the Count, by torturing him and stealing money.

The priest, Abbé Vilbois, enraged by his son’s actions, banished him with a threat of consequences if disobeyed. A confrontation ensued, leading to a physical struggle in the dark, resulting in a sudden and eerie silence. The priest’s anger subsided, replaced by contemplation in the darkness, as a sense of foreboding filled the room.

Marguerite, a servant, comes running out of the kitchen and is frightened by the intense darkness outside. She calls for the priest, but there is no response. Marguerite is hesitant to enter the room but eventually gathers the courage to fetch a lamp from the kitchen. She discovers a tramp sleeping against the wall, a broken lamp, and the priest’s unconscious body under the table. Marguerite realizes that the floor is covered in blood and becomes terrified.

She drops the lamp and flees to the village, screaming for help. A group of men from the village forms a rescue party and heads to the lodge. They use lanterns to navigate through the olive grove and find the lodge. Marguerite is supported by the men as she is unable to walk properly.

The rescue party enters the lodge and discovers blood covering the floor, the tramp, and the bodies of the father and son. The drunken son is handcuffed by the gendarmes, and it is suggested that he was too intoxicated to escape. The mayor and others do not consider the possibility that the priest may have taken his own life.

Guy de Maupassant A Warning Note Summary

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Hector Hugh Munro The Comments of Moung Ka Summary

The story describes a scene in Burma where Moung Ka, a rice cultivator and philosopher, discusses current events with his companions.

Moung Ka shares news from a Rangoon newspaper, highlighting two significant government actions. The first concerns the annulment of the partition of Bengal by the Indian Government due to the opposition of the majority of Bengalis.

This decision reflects the importance of considering the wishes of the people in governance. The second matter discussed is the partition of Britain by the British Government, resulting in two Parliaments and two Governments.

Unlike in Bengal, the people of Britain are not consulted on this decision, showcasing a lack of democratic input in the process. Moung Ka explains that the British Government avoids seeking public opinion to prevent potential opposition that could threaten its authority.

The conversation delves into the concept of democracy, with Moung Shoogalay defining it as a system where the community governs itself through elected representatives.

Moung Ka clarifies that while Britain is often referred to as a democracy, the reality may differ. This discussion highlights contrasting approaches to governance and the role of public opinion in decision-making processes.

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Hector Hugh Munro Clovis on the Alleged Romance of Business Summary

The story is about romance and thrill associated with business, lies not in the business itself, but in the products and experiences it offers. The author argues that the true romance of business is found in the exotic goods and places that it brings to the consumer’s imagination. The grocer’s shop, for example, is described as a place that transports the mind to Levantine coast towns, tropic shores, and other far-off locations. The author suggests that it is the wanderers and adventurers, rather than the business-minded individuals, who bring this romance and fascination to the world of commerce.

On the other hand, the author criticizes the industrious apprentice who grows up to become a business person. These individuals are portrayed as burying any romance or adventurous spirit they may have had in their pursuit of business success. The graves of these business people in cemeteries like Kensal Green are seen as symbols of the loss of romance and imagination in the world of business.

Overall, the story challenges the notion of the romance of business and suggests that true romance lies in the products and experiences that business brings, rather than in the business itself. It also highlights the contrast between the adventurous spirit of wanderers and the mundane reality of business life.

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Sri Aurobindo A Dream of Surreal Science Summary

Quatrain I

One dreamed and saw a gland write Hamlet, drink
    At the Mermaid, capture immortality;
A committee of hormones on the Aegean’s brink
    Composed the Iliad and the Odyssey.

These lines are vivid and imaginative. It seems that the lines portray a fascinating concept where the creative process and great works of literature are attributed to the inner workings of the human body. The idea of a gland writing “Hamlet” and “capturing immortality” at the Mermaid, as well as a “committee of hormones” composing the “Iliad” and the “Odyssey” on the Aegean’s brink, is truly captivating. These lines play with the notion that the source of creativity and artistic brilliance may originate from within an individual, suggesting a unique and whimsical perspective on the creative forces that drive human expression and achievement.

Quatrain II

A thyroid, meditating almost nude
    Under the Bo-tree, saw the eternal Light
And, rising from its mighty solitude,
    Spoke of the Wheel and eightfold Path all right.

These lines are captivating and profound that seems to depict a mystical and introspective journey of a thyroid gland, almost in a meditative state, under the Bo-tree. The imagery of the gland seeing the eternal light and then rising to speak of the Wheel and the eightfold Path suggests a spiritual awakening and enlightenment. It’s as though the gland, in its solitude and contemplation, gains insight into profound truths and teachings, symbolized by the references to the Wheel and the eightfold Path. These lines beautifully blend the physical and the metaphysical, suggesting a deep connection between the inner workings of the body and spiritual enlightenment, offering a unique perspective on the quest for understanding and transcendence.

Quatrain III

A brain by a disordered stomach driven
    Thundered through Europe, conquered, ruled and fell,
From St Helena went, perhaps, to Heaven.
    Thus wagged on the surreal world, until

These lines paint a vivid picture of a brain, influenced by a disordered stomach, making its mark on history by thundering through Europe, conquering, ruling, and eventually falling. The mention of St. Helena and the possibility of the brain going to Heaven adds a touch of mystery and intrigue to the narrative. It is a surreal journey of power, rise, and event of decline that shapes the world’s course until a certain point. These lines seem to symbolize the complex interplay between physical and mental states, the rise and fall of empires, and the transient nature of power and influence in the grand scheme of history. The imagery evokes a sense of the unpredictable and cyclical nature of human endeavors and the impact of both internal and external factors on the course of events.

Couplet

A scientist played with atoms and blew out
The universe before God had time to shout.

These lines describe a scientist who, in a daring move, played with atoms and seemingly disrupted the universe before God could even react. This imagery conveys a sense of audacity and power in human exploration and experimentation, suggesting the potential for both creation and destruction in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. The idea of the scientist altering the fabric of the universe before a divine intervention adds a thought-provoking layer to the narrative, hinting at the boundary-pushing nature of scientific discovery and the profound impact it can have on one’s understanding of the world. It’s a poetic and contemplative reflection on the relationship between human ingenuity and the mysteries of existence.

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Sri Aurobindo The Stone Goddess Summary

Quatrain I

In a town of gods, housed in a little shrine,
From sculptured limbs the Godhead looked at me,–
A living Presence deathless and divine,
A Form that harboured all infinity.

These lines poetically describe a profound experience of encountering a deity in a sacred space, perhaps in a small shrine within a town dedicated to gods. The imagery of the “Godhead” looking at a person from sculptured limbs conveys a sense of a living, eternal presence that embodies the infinite nature of divinity. It is similar to a moment where the boundaries between the mortal and the divine blur, and one feel the vastness of infinity encapsulated in a tangible form. The lines evoke a feeling of awe and reverence towards this divine entity, making the encounter a deeply spiritual and transcendent experience.

Quatrain II

The great World-Mother and her mighty will
Inhabited the earth’s abysmal sleep,
Voiceless, omnipotent, inscrutable,
Mute in the desert and the sky and deep.

These lines are captivating and filled with depth of truth. It seems that the lines are portraying the concept of a powerful, all-encompassing force that permeates the world. The imagery of the “World-Mother” and her “mighty will” suggests a nurturing yet formidable presence that dwells within the depths of the earth’s slumber. The description of this force as “voiceless, omnipotent, inscrutable” conveys a sense of mystery and immense power that is silent yet all-encompassing, existing in every corner of the world, whether in the desert, the sky, or the deep sea. It is an unseen, primal force that shapes existence itself, beyond human comprehension. These lines evoke a sense of reverence and wonder towards the vastness and complexity of the natural world and the forces that govern it.

Quatrain III

Now veiled with mind she dwells and speaks no word,
Voiceless, inscrutable, omniscient,
Hiding until our soul has seen, has heard
The secret of her strange embodiment,

The lines are enchanting and it seems to convey a transformation in the depiction of this powerful force, now veiled in the realm of the mind. The imagery of the “World-Mother” being veiled with the mind suggests a shift from a physical presence to a more abstract, internal realm. The description of her as “voiceless, inscrutable, omniscient” portrays her as a silent yet all-knowing entity, hidden until our innermost selves have grasped the enigmatic nature of her existence. It is as though the essence of this force is waiting for individual souls to awaken to the profound mystery of her mysterious embodiment. These lines evoke a sense of introspection and the journey of inner discovery, suggesting that the true essence of this divine force can only be understood through a deeper, spiritual perception that transcends the physical world.

Couplet

One in the worshipper and the immobile shape,
A beauty and mystery flesh or stone can drape.

These lines are thought-provoking and beautifully expressed. It seems that it suggest a profound connection between the worshipper and the object of worship, whether it be a living being or an inanimate form. The idea that beauty and mystery can be embodied in both flesh and stone implies that the essence of divinity and spirituality transcends mere physical appearance. It is suggesting that the true beauty and mystery of worship can manifest in various forms, be it in the living presence of a worshipper or in the stillness of a statue. These lines hint at the idea that the essence of worship and spirituality goes beyond the external trappings and can be found in both the animate and the inanimate, highlighting the universal nature of beauty and mystery in the act of devotion.

Sri Aurobindo A Dream of Surreal Science Summary

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Guy de Maupassant The Peddler Summary

The story explores the significance of seemingly insignificant events in shaping our understanding of life’s truths. It delves into the narrator’s reminiscences of chance encounters and the impact they had on his perception.

The vivid description of a summer day in Savoy by the Lake of Bourget sets the scene for a chance meeting with a peddler, triggering memories of a similar encounter in the past. The interaction between the narrator and the peddler unfolds as they walk together in the night, sharing personal stories and fears.

The peddler’s openness about his life, business, and marriage contrasts with the narrator’s guarded responses, hinting at underlying suspicions and uncertainties.

Despite initial wariness, the narrator’s perception of the peddler shifts as they near Asnieres, leading to an unexpected invitation to the peddler’s home. There is a gesture of gratitude and camaraderie, highlighting the fleeting yet profound connections that can be forged through chance encounters.

The narrator initially declines an invitation but is persuaded to follow the person who invited him to a dilapidated house on the outskirts of the suburbs.

The house appears suspicious, but he enters and are led to a small room by the person who invited him. The person goes to wake up his wife and fetch wine from the cellar, leaving the narrator alone in the room.

The narrator becomes suspicious when he hears low voices and movement in the room where the wife is supposed to be sleeping. He fears he may have fallen into a trap and prepare for a fight, but a man’s head appears through the door and quickly leaves.

The husband returns with wine and asks if his wife is still asleep, suspecting that she may have been awake the whole time. The husband suggests they drink together, but the narrator only has one glass before deciding to leave.

The husband becomes angry and insists that his wife open the door once the narrator is gone. The narrator leaves, realizing that he has witnessed a scene from the eternal drama of relationships and deception.

The story portrays a tense and suspicious encounter between the narrator, the person who invited him, and the husband’s wife. It highlights themes of trust, deception, and the complexities of human relationships.

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Guy de Maupassant Relics of the Past Summary

The narrator is alone in the house where he was born, lived, and hope to die. Despite occasional sadness, he finds comfort in the familiar surroundings and memories of his loved ones.

The narrator reflects on the nature of happiness and how women are often taught to believe too much in it. He has come to understand that true happiness lies in the endless illusion of hopeful expectations, rather than the fulfillment of grand desires.

The narrator spends his time dreaming and reminiscing. He has two ways of doing this: sitting by the fire and looking back at the past, and exploring the “lumber-room” filled with forgotten objects that hold significance and evoke memories.

The narrator finds joy in reliving past experiences through his dreams. He vividly recall moments from his youth, such as watching a sunset on Mont Saint-Michel and riding through the forest of Uville on horseback.

The “lumber-room” contains objects that have been overlooked for years but now hold sentimental value. These objects, even if insignificant to others, represent relics of the past and evoke emotions and memories for the narrator.

The narrator acknowledges that his Parisian friend may not fully understand his attachment to the past and the significance of living and dying in the same house. He expresses a desire to hear about his friend’s life and experiences.

In summary, the story explores themes of solitude, nostalgia, the nature of happiness, and the significance of familiar objects in evoking memories. The narrator finds solace in his memories and dreams, cherishing the past while acknowledging the passage of time.