Identify a few of the humorous elements of the story. How do they contribute to the story?
AN UNCOMFORTABLE BED BY GUY DE MAUPASSANT
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Name:Class:"Hotel Room"by Mario's Planet is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.An Uncomfortable BedBy Guy de Maupassant1909Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a popular French writer during the 19th century. He is considered oneof the fathers of the modern short story, and he delighted in clever plot twists. In his short story “AnUncomfortable Bed,” the speaker is a wealthy yet suspicious man invited by his friends, who often play trickson him, to stay at their lavish mansion. As you read, pay attention to how de Maupassant’s use of point ofview affects the story.One autumn I went to spend the hunting seasonwith some friends in a chateau1in Picardy.My friends were fond of practical jokes. I do notcare to know people who are not.When I arrived, they gave me a princelyreception, which at once awakened suspicion inmy mind. They fired off rifles, embraced me,made much of me, as if they expected to havegreat fun at my expense.I said to myself: "Look out, old ferret! They havesomething in store for you."During the dinner the mirth2was excessive, exaggerated, in fact. I thought: "Here are people who havemore than their share of amusement, and apparently without reason. They must have planned somegood joke. Assuredly I am to be the victim of the joke. Attention!"During the entire evening every one laughed in an exaggerated fashion. I scented a practical joke in theair, as a dog scents game.3But what was it? I was watchful, restless. I did not let a word, or a meaning,or a gesture escape me. Every one seemed to me an object of suspicion, and I even looked distrustfullyat the faces of the servants.The hour struck for retiring; and the whole household came to escort me to my room. Why? Theycalled to me: "Good-night." I entered the apartment, shut the door, and remained standing, withoutmoving a single step, holding the wax candle in my hand.I heard laughter and whispering in the corridor. Without doubt they were spying on me. I cast a glanceround the walls, the furniture, the ceiling, the hangings, the floor. I saw nothing to justify suspicion. Iheard persons moving about outside my door. I had no doubt they were looking through the keyhole.An idea came into my head: "My candle may suddenly go out and leave me in darkness."[1][5]1. a large country house2.Mirth(noun):happiness accompanied by laughter3. Game (also known as prey or quarry) refers to any animal hunted for sport or for food.