A Philosopher by Guy de Maupassant
The story revolves around a young man who has been living with his mother and sister for years. He is intelligent but idle, and his life lacks purpose. One day, he meets a woman who is the opposite of his family members - she is strong-willed, independent, and confident. She challenges him to take control of his life and make something of himself. The young man is drawn to her and begins to change, becoming more determined and ambitious. However, his transformation also leads to conflict with his mother and sister, who are resistant to change.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1887 · Genre: Psychological Fiction, Drama, Realism · 2,931 words
First lines
Blerot had been my most intimate friend from childhood; we had no secrets from each other, and were united heart and soul by a brotherly intimacy and a boundless confidence in each other, and I had been intrusted with the secret of all his love affairs, as he had been with mine.
What this Textopian page supports
A Philosopher 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: Psychological Fiction, Drama, Realism, Tragedy, Romance
- Length: 2,931 words
- Structure: 1 section, 87 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Philosopher by Guy de Maupassant
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Philosopher?
- How does this short story by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Psychological Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Psychological Fiction — Explores the psychological complexities and inner turmoil of the protagonist dealing with obsessive love.
- Drama — Focuses on intense emotional conflicts and personal relationships, particularly within marriage.
- Realism — Depicts everyday life and social issues with a focus on character development and moral dilemmas.
- Tragedy — Centers on the protagonist's suffering and downfall due to his overpowering emotions.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Psychological Insight · Existential Crisis · French Literature · 19th Century Novel · Realism · Social Commentary · Morality Tale · Human Nature · Intellectual Exploration · Self-Discovery · Identity Crisis