Point of View

Bel Ami is told through a third person omniscient narrator. As is characteristic of naturalism works of fiction, the narrator is reliable and does not shy away from exposing the uglier sides of human nature. Generally, the novel features little narration and focuses more on telling the story through action and dialogue.

This narration style remains consistent throughout the novel. Its perspective never changes. Although the narrator is omniscient, they focus largely on describing Georges’ thoughts and feelings.

The narrator reflects character growth through descriptions of Georges’ thought patterns. In this case, the protagonist undergoes a negative sort of growth, in that his rise to wealth brings about his moral degradation. This change can best be described as a shift from a self-deprecating mindset to an arrogant one. At the start of the novel, Georges looks down upon himself. Before the lunch that marks Georges...