Duroy grows increasingly heartless as the story progresses, but in some twisted way it was kind of fun to follow him through his journey under petticoats with his moustache twitching. Duroy climbs to the top by clinging to women's thighs, and sometimes by luck he gets an opportunity to advance in his career through somewhat macabre means. The little slimeball is a mimic and an upstart, although he wants to be a greatly admired gentleman. Even his first article is only literally his handwriting, because the ideas and thoughts are those of Madame Forestier (who actually "helps" her husband in his articles as well).

The worldview is cynical, yes, but there is also cheerful and amusing satire. The novel mocks mediocrity, and I think it's not meant to be taken as deadly serious as some seem to have done. Maupassant is one of those easily readable classic authors, whose texts don't challenge, but whose stories tangle the reader into their webs.