A Country Excursion by Guy De Maupassant
The story revolves around a group of Parisians who embark on a country excursion to escape the monotony and superficiality of city life. They are accompanied by a young woman named Madame de Guerande, whose presence sparks tension among the group. As they journey through the countryside, the characters' true nature is revealed, exposing their hypocrisy and pretentiousness. The excursion serves as a catalyst for the characters to confront their own flaws and insecurities. The story explores themes of social class, morality, and the human condition, ultimately leading to a tragic confrontation that exposes the darkness beneath the surface of these seemingly respectable individuals.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1887 · Genre: Realism, Social Commentary, Romance · 5,193 words
Editions
First lines
For five months they had been talking of going to lunch at some country restaurant in the neighbourhood of Paris, on Madame Dufour's birthday, and as they were looking forward very impatiently to the outing, they had risen very early that morning. Monsieur Dufour had borrowed the milkman's cart, and drove himself. It was a very neat, two-wheeled conveyance. It had a roof supported by four iron posts to which were attached curtains, which had been raised so that they could see the countryside. The curtain at the back, alone, fluttered in the breeze like a flag. Madame Dufour, resplendent in a wonderful, cherry-coloured silk dress, sat by the side of her husband. The old grandmother and the daughter were accommodated with two chairs, and a yellow-haired youth, of whom, however, nothing was to be seen except his head, lay at the bottom of the trap.
Similar titles
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Genres
- Realism — The narrative focuses on everyday life and the ordinary experiences of the Dufour family, depicting their interactions and emotions in a realistic manner.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques social norms and the bourgeois lifestyle, highlighting the contrasts between different social classes and the characters' desires.
- Romance — The plot includes romantic elements, particularly the budding relationship between Henri and Henriette, exploring themes of desire and attraction.
- Naturalism — The depiction of the countryside and the characters' responses to their environment reflects naturalistic themes, emphasizing the influence of nature on human behavior.
Tags
Realism · French Literature · Short Story · 19th Century · Country Life · Social Commentary · Class Struggle · Rural Poverty · Urban vs Rural · Alienation · Loneliness · Disillusionment
What this Textopian page supports
A Country Excursion is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy De Maupassant, dated 1887 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Guy De Maupassant
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Social Commentary, Romance, Naturalism, Comedy
- Length: 5,193 words
- Structure: 1 section, 88 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Country Excursion by Guy De Maupassant
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