Guy de Maupassanti novellid Eestis XX sajandi algupoolel: Tõlked ja retseptsioon läbi dekadentsi prisma
Guy De Maupassant’s short stories in Estonia in the early 20th century: Translations and reception through the lens of decadence

Summary/Abstract: In the early 20th century, the influx of foreign literary movements into Estonia was largely facilitated through print media. Periodicals predominantly favoured concise and captivating stories. Between 1900 and 1939, a significant number of translations of Guy de Maupassant’s short stories were published due to their alignment with these criteria. These translated stories later found their way into collections. Maupassant’s short stories can be interpreted as both realistic and decadent, with both perspectives finding representation in the Estonian reception. Nevertheless, the prevailing view depicts Maupassant as an eccentric writer whose mental illness is reflected in his writings. Themes such as neurosis, hysteria, hypnotism, intoxicants and misogyny associate Maupassant with decadent culture. The press does not shy away from portraying his loose lifestyle, battle with syphilis, suicide attempt, and other scandalous episodes. Since the turn of the century, a multitude of Maupassant’s stories about extramarital affairs as well as horror tales with clear ties to decadence have been translated. However, even characters in Maupassant’s war and peasant stories can be interpreted as degenerate. Maupassant’s reception provides insight into the era’s perception of artists and writers in a broader sense: genius is often associated with mental illness and substance abuse. In prefaces to short story collections and reviews published in newspapers, Maupassant is sometimes hailed as a great realist, a discerning student of human psychology, and a master of style. Johannes Aavik introduces language innovation in translating Maupassant, while Tuglas views Maupassant as an exemplar on the path towards more refined realism.

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