# Chapter XVII explained — Bel Ami

> Chapter companion for Bel Ami by Guy de Maupassant.

## What happens

Three months after Duroy's divorce, he and the Walters spend a day in the country. Duroy, now free, plots to marry Suzanne Walter, despite her parents' intentions for the Marquis de Cazolles. He persuades Suzanne to defy her parents and elope with him. When Walter discovers the elopement, he reluctantly agrees to the marriage to avoid scandal, while Madame Walter, devastated, seeks solace in a vision of Jesus.

## Themes in this chapter

### Manipulation and Seduction

Duroy manipulates Suzanne's affections to orchestrate an elopement, forcing her parents' hand.

### Marriage as Transaction

Walter views the marriage as a pragmatic deal, weighing Duroy's potential as a deputy and minister against the scandal.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Decay

The Walters prioritize public reputation over genuine morality, accepting the elopement to avoid scandal.

## Character check-ins

### George Duroy

Now divorced, he orchestrates an elopement with Suzanne Walter to force her parents' consent.

### Suzanne Walter

Innocent and infatuated, she agrees to Duroy's risky plan and elopes with him.

### Madame Walter

Devastated by her daughter's elopement, she refuses to consent but is overruled by her husband.

### Monsieur Walter

Pragmatic and resigned, he decides to accept the marriage to avoid scandal.

### Count de Latour-Yvelin

Engaged to Rose Walter, he accompanies the family outing.

## Key lines

> He thought it a clever stroke to respect her.

He believed that showing restraint and respect toward her was a strategic move.

_Duroy's calculated behavior toward Suzanne._

> It is done; he has got her. We are done for.

It's over; he has taken her. We are ruined.

_Walter's resigned reaction to the elopement._

> He will be a deputy and a minister.

He will become a member of parliament and a government minister.

_Walter's pragmatic assessment of Duroy's potential._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/chapters/xvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bel_ami_se/chapters