A Sale by Guy De Maupassant (1883)
The story revolves around a young woman who has been jilted by her lover and seeks revenge through a series of manipulations that ultimately lead to his downfall. The narrative explores themes of love, betrayal, and the destructive nature of obsession.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Drama, Satire, Realism · 2,751 words
Editions
First lines
The defendants, Brument (Césaire-Isidore) and Cornu (Prosper-Napoléon), appeared at the Seine-Inférieure Assizes, charged with attempting the murder, by drowning, of the woman Brument, lawful wife of the first of the said defendants.
The two accused are seated side by side in the dock. They are two peasants. The first is little and stout, with short arms, short legs and a round head; his red face, all bursting with pimples, squats without the least sign of a neck on top of a body equally round and equally short. He breeds pigs and lives at Cacheville-la-Goupil, in the district of Criquetot.
What this Textopian page supports
A Sale is listed on Textopian as a novel 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: Novel
- Author: Guy De Maupassant
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Satire, Realism, Comedy, Tragedy
- Length: 2,751 words
- Structure: 1 section, 90 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Sale by Guy De Maupassant
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Drama — The narrative centers around a courtroom trial, exploring the complexities of human behavior and moral dilemmas.
- Satire — The story critiques societal norms and the absurdity of the characters' actions, particularly regarding marriage and morality.
- Realism — The depiction of the characters and their environment reflects a realistic portrayal of peasant life and social issues.
- Comedy — The humorous elements arise from the characters' drunkenness and the absurdity of their situation, leading to comedic misunderstandings.
Tags
Short Story · French Literature · Realism · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Marriage · Deception · Betrayal · Love Triangle · Class Conflict · Materialism · Morality