Chapter XVIII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Social Climbing and Ambition

  Duroy's marriage to Suzanne Walter is the culmination of his social climbing. The wedding is a display of his rise to power and wealth, attended by the elite of Parisian society.

• Hypocrisy and Moral Decay

  The chapter is steeped in hypocrisy. Duroy, a man with a sordid past, is blessed by a bishop in a grand ceremony. Madame Walter's public grief is misinterpreted as motherly love, while the truth of her affair with Duroy remains hidden.

• Manipulation and Seduction

  Duroy's manipulative nature is highlighted through his threats to Monsieur Walter and his treatment of Clotilde. His entire relationship with Suzanne is implied to be a calculated move for social advancement.

• Gender and Power Dynamics

  The chapter shows the power imbalance between men and women. Madame Walter is powerless to stop her lover from marrying her daughter, and Clotilde is physically overpowered and beaten by Duroy when she confronts him.

Characters to notice

• George Duroy

  The groom, marrying Suzanne Walter. He is described as proud and good-looking, but his past manipulations and violent temper are revealed in his confrontation with Clotilde.

• Suzanne Walter

  The bride, described as a charming doll. Her marriage to Duroy is the central event of the chapter.

• Madame Walter

  The mother of the bride, who is deeply anguished. She weeps during the ceremony, and her hatred for Duroy and her daughter is evident.

• Clotilde de Marelle

  Duroy's mistress, who confronts him about his marriage. She is furious and accuses him of being a rascal and a blackguard, leading to a violent altercation.

• Norbert de Varenne

  A poet and observer at the wedding, who discusses Duroy's past and his marriage with Jacques Rival.

• Jacques Rival

  A journalist at the wedding, who converses with Norbert de Varenne about Duroy's career and his relationship with Madame Walter.

• Monsieur Walter

  The father of the bride, who gives her away. He is described as walking with exaggerated dignity and is noted to have given in to Duroy's threats.

• Madeleine Forestier

  Duroy's former wife, mentioned in conversation. She is said to be living in a retired style and has a new companion, Jean Le Dal.

Key passages

• “Well, the race is for the cunning.”

  Norbert de Varenne comments that success in this world goes to the clever and manipulative, referring to Duroy's advantageous marriage.

  This line sets the tone for the chapter, highlighting the theme of social climbing through cunning.

• “You are among the fortunate ones of this world, among the wealthiest and most respected. You, sir, whom your talent raises above others; you who write, who teach, who advise, who guide the people, you who have a noble mission to fulfill, a noble example to set.”

  The bishop, during the wedding ceremony, praises Duroy as a man of talent and influence, completely unaware of his immoral past.

  This quote underscores the hypocrisy of the situation, as a man of questionable character is publicly lauded.

• “You are the vilest creature I know of; never speak to me again, for I shall not answer you.”

  Madame Walter had previously told Duroy that he is the worst person she knows and that she will never speak to him again.

  This reveals the depth of Madame Walter's hatred and the broken relationship between her and Duroy.

• “Ever since you left your wife you have been preparing this move, and you only kept me on as a mistress to fill up the interim nicely. What a rascal you are!”

  Clotilde accuses Duroy of planning his marriage to Suzanne since his divorce and of using her as a temporary mistress in the meantime.

  This confrontation reveals Duroy's calculated and callous treatment of Clotilde.