A Million by Guy De Maupassant
The novel revolves around a young man who has made a fortune and is now seeking to fill the void left by his lack of emotional connections with others. He sets out on a journey to find someone to share his life with, but ultimately realizes that true connection cannot be bought or acquired through material possessions.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama · 2,091 words
First lines
It was a modest clerk's household. The husband, who was employed in a Government office, was conventional and painstaking, and he always was very careful in the discharge of his duties. His name was Léopold Bonnin. He was a mediocre young man who held the right opinions about everything. He had been brought up a Christian, but he was inclined to be less religious since the country had begun to move in the direction of the separation of Church and State. He would say in loud tones at the office: "I am a believer, a true believer, but I believe in God, not in the clergy. " His greatest claim was that he was an honest man. He would strike his chest as he said so. And he was an honest man, in the most humdrum sense of the word. He arrived punctually at his office and left as punctually. He never idled and was always very straight in "money matters. " He had married the daughter of one of his poor colleagues, whose sister, however, was worth a million, having been married for love. She had had no children, which was a deep disappointment for her, and, consequently, she had no one to whom she could leave her money except her niece. This legacy was the constant preoccupation of the family. It haunted the house, and even the office. It was known that "the Bonnins would come in for a million."
What this Textopian page supports
A Million 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, Social Commentary, Drama, Satire, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 2,091 words
- Structure: 1 section, 36 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Million 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 Million?
- How does this short story by Guy De Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- An Adventure by Guy De Maupassant
- Duchoux by Guy De Maupassant
- The New Sensation by Guy De Maupassant
- Julots Opinion by Guy De Maupassant
- A Cock Crowed by Guy De Maupassant
- That Costly Ride by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of marriage, societal expectations, and personal ambition through nuanced character development and a focus on the inner lives of the protagonists.
- Social Commentary — It critiques social norms and the impact of wealth and inheritance on personal relationships, reflecting on the societal pressures faced by the characters.
- Drama — The narrative is driven by intense emotional conflicts and interpersonal struggles, highlighting the dramatic tension between the couple.
- Satire — Elements of humor and irony are present, particularly in the portrayal of the characters' aspirations and the absurdity of their situation.
Tags
French Literature · Realism · Short Story Collection · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Satire · Dark Humor · Morality Tale · Existential Crisis · Human Nature · Philosophical Themes · Absurdity