A Stroll by Guy de Maupassant (1883)
The story revolves around a young man who takes a walk along the Seine River and reflects on his life, relationships, and sense of purpose. He encounters various people and experiences that prompt him to question his own identity and values. As he strolls, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the superficiality and hypocrisy of society, particularly among the upper class. His observations lead him to a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him. The narrative is a commentary on the social conventions and moral decay of late 19th-century France, as well as the protagonist's inner struggle for authenticity and meaning in his life.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Realism, Tragedy, Psychological Fiction · 2,288 words
First lines
When Old Man Leras, bookkeeper for Messieurs Labuze and Company, left the store, he stood for a minute bewildered at the glory of the setting sun. He had worked all day in the yellow light of a small jet of gas, far in the back of the store, on a narrow court, as deep as a well. The little room where he had been spending his days for forty years was so dark that even in the middle of summer one could hardly see without gaslight from eleven until three.
It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
What this Textopian page supports
A Stroll 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, Tragedy, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary, Existential Fiction
- Length: 2,288 words
- Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Stroll 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 Stroll?
- 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
- Abandoned by Guy De Maupassant
- A Walk by Guy De Maupassant
- The Putter To Sleep by Guy De Maupassant
- Letter Found On A Drowned Man by Guy De Maupassant
- The Old Man by Guy De Maupassant
- The Last Step by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Realism — The narrative focuses on the mundane and monotonous life of an ordinary man, highlighting the dreariness and routine of his existence.
- Tragedy — The story culminates in the protagonist's suicide, reflecting a deep sense of despair and hopelessness.
- Psychological Fiction — The work delves into the internal thoughts and emotions of the protagonist, exploring his realization of a life unfulfilled.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques societal norms and the impact of a monotonous, work-centered life on individual happiness.
Tags
Realism · Short Story · French Literature · 19th Century Fiction · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Human Nature · Philosophical Themes · Existential Crisis · Loneliness · Isolation · Melancholy