Beside Schopenhauer's Corpse Page #2

"Beside Schopenhauer's Corpse" is a short story by Guy de Maupassant that explores themes of existentialism and the philosophical musings on life and death. Set against the backdrop of Schopenhauer's own philosophical ideas, the narrative delves into the reflections and emotional turmoil of characters confronted with mortality. Maupassant’s sharp prose and keen psychological insight create an atmosphere of introspection, as the characters grapple with their own beliefs about existence and the human condition in the shadow of the deceased philosopher. The story serves as a poignant commentary on the impact of philosophy on individual lives and the inevitability of death.

• Short story

								


“'We must go and look.'

“I took our wax candle and entered first, glancing into all the dark corners in the large apartment. Nothing was moving now, and I approached the bed. But I stood transfixed with stupor and fright:

“Schopenhauer was no longer laughing! He was grinning in a horrible fashion, with his lips pressed together and deep hollows in his cheeks. I stammered out:

“'He is not dead!'

“But the terrible odor ascended to my nose and stifled me. And I no longer moved, but kept staring fixedly at him, terrified as if in the presence of an apparition.

“Then my companion, having seized the other wax candle, bent forward. Next, he touched my arm without uttering a word. I followed his glance, and saw on the ground, under the armchair by the side of the bed, standing out white on the dark carpet, and open as if to bite, Schopenhauer's set of artificial teeth.

“The work of decomposition, loosening the jaws, had made it jump out of the mouth.

“I was really frightened that day, monsieur.”

And as the sun was sinking toward the glittering sea, the consumptive German rose from his seat, gave me a parting bow, and retired into the hotel.
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