‘A Vendetta’ by Guy de Maupassant
Pre-1914 prose
Before attempting to complete the essay, use the following grid to focus your response to the short story.
•
Why does Widow Saverini use Frisky? Why not use
poison or shoot Ravolati? Think about what she
prays for in the story.
•
Is Ravolati’s murder the perfect crime? How do you
know? Find evidence from the text.
•
With which character do you sympathise more?
Why? Use quotations.
•
Who is to blame for the murder of Ravolati? Why?
•
Is it a coincidence that Ravolati dies not knowing
why he is killed or who his attacker is? Is there a
sense of fairness (justice) in this?
•
How does the way in which Ravolati dies reflect the
mentality of Bonifacio’s inhabitants?
•
Why are we shown Frisky’s training process? What
purpose does it serve?
•
Why do we find out first that Widow Saverini is a
widow and that Antoine is her only son?
•
Why is the focus on the training of Frisky and not the
actual murder of Ravolati? What is the author trying
to do here?
•
How does Maupassant manipulate the reader into
agreeing or disagreeing with Saverini’s actions?
•
If you understand why Widow Saverini carries out her
revenge, does this mean that you automatically have
to agree with the end result? Why?
© 2007 www.teachit.co.uk
6010.doc
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‘A Vendetta’ by Guy de Maupassant
Pre-1914 prose
Essay writing framework
Show how the author manipulates the reader by looking at structure, language,
setting and characterisation.
This is a guide – you don’t have to stick with it and you don’t have to do it in this order.
Introduction
Make some reference to the question. Make a point about this being a short story with the
theme of revenge. You could give your opinion on whether or not you think the author
justifies Ravolati’s death. Perhaps comment on the violence of this death. Remember to
link the introduction to the first paragraph.
Section 1: setting
Look at how harsh and hostile the place is. Look at any description of the surrounding
area – clifftop, village, sea etc. What words describe the setting and make it seem harsh?
Look at any description of the inside of Widow Saverini’s house. Link the setting to how
the mindset of the people. How does the environment shape their mentality, belief and
justice system?
Section 2: structure and plot
Look at how we are introduced to the characters. When do we learn about the tragedy?
Which words describe the widow and the tragedy, and which words describe the horror of
Ravolati’s death? How do we know Widow Saverini is planning something? How far were
you surprised by the ending?
Section 3: characterisation
How much do we learn about Widow Saverini? Remember that she has no first name; we
are constantly reminded that her husband is dead because of her title. Is she a typical old
woman? How does she break the stereotype?
Antoine Saverini is treacherously knifed – the author gives us a clue about his murder.
Treacherous means that Antoine has been betrayed and that Ravolati is disloyal. This
implies that Antoine is innocent and did not warrant a terrible death. You need to analyse
certain words like this as Maupassant gives away various clues.
Nicolas Ravolati – What do we learn about him? How is he described? What are our
feelings towards him? Do we feel slightly sorry for him at the end as he is doing a
mundane job, completely unaware of his terrible fate?
Frisky – what do we learn about Frisky? Look at how her environment changes and shapes
her, just as it has the humans. Look at her reactions and see how they influence us as a
reader, do her reactions in the story reflect the Widow’s emotions?
Section 4: overall technique
How is tension created? Look at the pace of the story: it is packed with action, but only
lasts a couple of pages. Can you comment on the use of dramatic irony in the story? Is
there enough suspense? What questions or issues does the author raise?
Conclusion:
After analysing the story, do you still think that Ravolati deserved to die? Do we know
enough about the characters and their history to make such a judgement on Ravolati? Is
‘A Vendetta’ a classic short story? Give your comments on how well the author
manipulates the reader (remember, Maupassant is one he French literary elite!).
© 2007 www.teachit.co.uk
6010.doc
Page 2 of 2