A Memory by Guy De Maupassant (1883)

Name: A Memory
Author: Guy De Maupassant

The story revolves around a man who returns to his hometown after being away for many years and becomes obsessed with a woman he knew from his past. He tries to rekindle their relationship but she rejects him, leading to a downward spiral of madness and despair. The narrative explores themes of love, rejection, and the destructive power of obsession.

By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Romance · 2,749 words

First lines

How many memories of my youth came to me under the gentle caress of the earliest summer sun! It is an age wherein all is good, glad, charming, and intoxicating. How exquisite are the memories of lost springs!

Do you recall, my old friends, my brothers, those years of gladness in which life was but triumph and laughter? Do you recall the days when we roamed disreputably about Paris, our radiant poverty, our walks in the woods newly clad in green, our revels under the open sky outside the taverns on the banks of the Seine, and our love-adventures, so commonplace and so delicious?

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What this Textopian page supports

A Memory is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy De Maupassant, dated 1883 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: 1883 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Realism, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Short Story
Length: 2,749 words
Structure: 1 section, 80 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Work identity for A Memory by Guy De Maupassant
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Genres

Literary Fiction — The work explores deep themes of memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time, characteristic of literary fiction.
Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of everyday life and human relationships, focusing on ordinary characters and their experiences.
Romance — The story includes elements of romantic adventure and relationships, particularly through the interactions between the protagonist and the woman.
Psychological Fiction — The exploration of the protagonist's inner thoughts and feelings about memory and past experiences aligns with psychological fiction.