# Bombard explained — Short Fiction > Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Guy de Maupassant. ## What happens Simon Bombard, a lazy Norman with a desire for wealth and leisure, marries the Englishwoman Kate Robertson for her fortune. He soon finds himself under her firm control and resorts to cunning schemes to pursue his pleasures, including seducing the maid Victorine. His wife eventually discovers and subtly exposes his infidelity. ## Themes in this chapter ### Marriage and Domesticity Simon's marriage is a transactional arrangement where his wife exerts control over domestic life and his behavior. ### Obsession and Delusion Simon's obsessive pursuit of pleasure and his delusion that he can outwit his wife drive the plot. ### Social Class and Money Simon marries for a comfortable income (15,000 francs a year) and schemes to maintain his lifestyle. ### Gender and Power Madame Bombard wields quiet authority over Simon, subverting traditional gender roles. ## Character check-ins ### Simon Bombard Protagonist; a lazy, pleasure-seeking Norman who marries for money and schemes to satisfy his desires. ### Madame Bombard Simon's English wife, Kate Robertson; firm, perceptive, and quietly dominant in the marriage. ### Victorine The maid hired by Simon as part of his plan; becomes his lover and is later exposed by Madame Bombard. ## Key lines > Life often seemed very hard to Simon Bombard! He was born with an incredible capacity for doing nothing and with an immoderate desire to follow this vocation. Simon Bombard found life difficult because he was naturally lazy and wanted only to avoid work. _Introduces Simon's defining trait of laziness._ > For ten thousand francs a year, I would become an executioner. He would do anything, even become an executioner, for a steady income of ten thousand francs a year. _Shows Simon's desperation for money and his pragmatic amorality._ > He was after a wife, counting entirely upon his face and his physique. He sought a wealthy wife, relying solely on his good looks. _Highlights his mercenary approach to marriage._ > She would say, with her grave, wilful, English accent: 'Oh! Simon, now we must go to bed,' which made Simon start toward the bed like a dog that had been ordered, 'To your kennel.' Madame Bombard's commanding tone made Simon obey her instantly, like a trained dog. _Illustrates her dominance in their relationship._ > Here, my girl, here are twenty francs which I deprived you of last night. I return them to you. Madame Bombard returns the gold coin to Victorine, revealing she knows about the affair. _Climactic moment where Madame Bombard exposes Simon's infidelity._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/bombard - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_23_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters