The Charm of Immorality: Georges Duroy and his Prototypes

Abstract

This article explores the character of Georges Duroy, the protagonist of Guy de Maupassant’s novel Bel-Ami, as a literary embodiment of the phenomenon of “the charm of immorality”. Through close reading and literary analysis, the study characterizes Duroy as a social type who achieves upward mobility by means of manipulation, deception, and the instrumental use of women, all while maintaining an appearance of charm, elegance, and adaptability.

Special attention is given to the societal perception of his amorality and the absence of moral retribution. The article also presents a comparative analysis of Duroy with typologically similar characters in 19th-century European literature – Julien Sorel (Stendhal), Eugène de Rastignac (Balzac), and Becky Sharp (Thackeray). It is argued that Duroy represents a radicalized version of the career-driven amoral figure, devoid of inner conflict or ethical hesitation. The study applies structural-typological and historical-literary methods of analysis.