A Surprise by Guy De Maupassant
The story revolves around a young woman who has been living with her lover for several years. They are both wealthy and have no reason to hide their relationship from society. However, the woman's family discovers their affair and threatens to cut off her inheritance unless she ends it. The woman is torn between her love for her lover and her desire to maintain her family's wealth and status. She decides to end the affair, but not before one final night together. The next morning, she wakes up to find that her lover has died in his sleep. The woman is devastated by the loss of her lover, but also relieved that she no longer has to worry about being discovered by her family. She returns to her family's estate and begins to rebuild her life, but is haunted by the memory of her lost love. Throughout the story, the narrator presents a bleak and cynical view of human relationships, suggesting that people are ultimately driven by self-interest and a desire for material possessions. The story ends with the woman settling into a comfortable but unfulfilling life, surrounded by the trappings of wealth and status, but devoid of true love or passion.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Drama · 2,663 words
First lines
My brother and I were brought up by our uncle, the abbé Loisel -- the curé Loisel, as we called him. Our parents died when we were small, and he had taken us into his rectory and raised us.
For eighteen years he had had the parish of Join-le-Sault, not far from Yvetot. It was a small village, set in the very middle of the Norman plateau known as the pays de Caux, dotted with farms whose orchards rose up here and there amidst the fields.
What this Textopian page supports
A Surprise 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, Realism, Drama, Coming-of-Age, Tragedy
- Length: 2,663 words
- Structure: 1 section, 45 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Surprise 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 Surprise?
- 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
- The Substitute by Guy De Maupassant
- The Little Cask by Guy De Maupassant
- Madame Baptiste by Guy De Maupassant
- Madame Hussons May King by Guy De Maupassant
- The Little One by Guy De Maupassant
- A Good Match by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of morality, family dynamics, and societal expectations through nuanced character development and a reflective narrative style.
- Realism — The story presents a realistic portrayal of life, focusing on the everyday experiences and struggles of the characters in a specific social context.
- Drama — The narrative contains intense emotional conflicts and situations that drive the plot, highlighting personal and familial tensions.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonists transition from childhood to adulthood, facing moral dilemmas and the consequences of their choices.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · French Literature · Realism · Social Commentary · Marriage · Infidelity · Deception · Moral Ambiguity · Satire · Dark Humor · Irony