
A Duel by Guy de Maupassant (1885)
The story revolves around a duel between two men who have been insulted by the same person. The protagonist, a young man, is forced to participate in the duel due to his family's honor being at stake. He is paired against an older and more experienced opponent, but he manages to gain the upper hand through his superior physical condition and mental preparation.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1885 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama, Adventure · 2,021 words
What this Textopian page supports
A Duel is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1885 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: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Drama, Adventure, Satire, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 2,021 words
- Structure: 1 section, 72 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Duel by Guy de Maupassant
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Duel?
- How does this short story by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The story is set during the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War, depicting the occupation of France by German forces.
- Drama — The narrative focuses on intense personal conflict and emotional tension, particularly in the duel between M. Dubuis and the Prussian officer.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and a physical confrontation, culminating in a life-or-death duel.
- Satire — The story contains elements of satire, particularly in its portrayal of national pride and the absurdity of war.
Tags
Short Story · Literary Fiction · Psychological Drama · French Literature · Realism · Symbolism · Existential Crisis · Moral Ambiguity · Duel · Fate vs Free Will · Social Commentary · Class Conflict
More by Guy de Maupassant