The Story of the Duchess of Cicogne and Monsieur
The Story of the Duchess of Cicogne and Monsieur de Boulingrin by Anatole France is a novella that explores themes of love, class, and social status. The story follows the titular characters, a wealthy duchess and her lover, as they navigate their relationship within the confines of societal expectations. Through their experiences, France critiques the hypocrisy and superficiality of high society, highlighting the absurdity of class distinctions and the importance of genuine human connection. The novella is known for its witty dialogue, clever plot twists, and insightful commentary on the human condition.
By Anatole France · First published 1893 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Literary Fiction · 6 chapters · 5,108 words
First lines
THE story of the Sleeping Beauty is well known; we have excellent accounts of it, both in prose and in verse. I shall not undertake to relate-it again; but, having become acquainted with several memoirs of the time which have remained unpublished, I discovered some anecdotes relating to King Cloche and Queen Satine, whose daughter it was that slept a hundred years, and also to several members of the Court who shared the Princess's sleep. I propose to communicate to the public such portions of these revelations as have seemed to me most interesting.
What this Textopian page supports
The Story of the Duchess of Cicogne and Monsieur de Boulingrin is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anatole France, dated 1893 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Anatole France
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Literary Fiction, Drama
- Length: 5,108 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 91 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Story of the Duchess of Cicogne and Monsieur de Boulingrin by Anatole France
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Story of the Duchess of Cicogne and Monsieur de Boulingrin?
- How does this short story by Anatole France fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Red Lily Volume 2 by Anatole France
- The Red Lily Volume 1 by Anatole France
- Catherines At Home by Anatole France
- The Red Lily Volume 3 by Anatole France
- The Queen Pedauque by Anatole France
- The Aspirations Of Jean Servien by Anatole France
Genres
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical period, portraying social customs and manners of the time.
- Romance — The plot revolves around the relationship between the Duchess of Cicogne and Monsieur de Boulingrin.
- Literary Fiction — Written by Anatole France, a notable literary figure, the book explores human nature and social institutions in depth.
- Drama — The book contains dramatic elements and complex character interactions.
Tags
French Literature · Nineteenth Century Literature · Realism · Short Story Collection · Women's Studies · Gender Roles · Social Commentary · Historical Fiction · Romance · Satire · Irony · Feminist Literature