A Recollection by Guy de Maupassant
The story revolves around a man who returns to his hometown after many years abroad and becomes infatuated with a woman he had previously known. He recalls their past interactions and becomes obsessed with the idea of reuniting with her, despite knowing that she has moved on with her life. As the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that the protagonist's memories are not entirely reliable, and his perception of reality is distorted by his own desires and nostalgia. The story explores themes of love, memory, and the human tendency to idealize the past. The woman in question remains an enigmatic figure throughout the narrative, her true nature and feelings towards the protagonist left ambiguous. The story's tone is melancholic and introspective, with a focus on the complexities of human emotions and relationships.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Realism, Romance, Comedy · 2,660 words
First lines
How many recollections of youth come to me in the soft sunlight of early spring! It was an age when all was pleasant, cheerful, charming, intoxicating. How exquisite are the remembrances of those old springtimes!
Do you recall, old friends and brothers, those happy years when life was nothing but a triumph and an occasion for mirth? Do you recall the days of wanderings around Paris, our jolly poverty, our walks in the fresh, green woods, our drinks in the wine-shops on the banks of the Seine and our commonplace and delightful little flirtations?
What this Textopian page supports
A Recollection 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: Realism, Romance, Comedy, Social Commentary
- Length: 2,660 words
- Structure: 1 section, 82 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Recollection 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 Recollection?
- How does this short story by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Piece Of String by Guy De Maupassant
- Coco by Guy De Maupassant
- A Meeting by Guy De Maupassant
- Beside The Bed by Guy De Maupassant
- A Country Excursion by Guy De Maupassant
- Regret by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Realism — The narrative focuses on everyday life and ordinary characters, capturing the essence of a typical day and the interactions between people.
- Romance — The story includes elements of flirtation and romantic interaction, particularly between the narrator and the young woman.
- Comedy — The narrative contains humorous elements, especially in the depiction of the couple's bickering and the husband's antics.
- Social Commentary — The story subtly critiques societal norms and the dynamics of marriage through the interactions of the characters.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Realism · Short Story · French Literature · 19th Century · Literary Classic · Existential Themes · Human Nature · Philosophical · Moral Ambiguity · Social Commentary · Character Study