An Adventure in Paris by Guy de Maupassant

Name: An Adventure in Paris
Author: Guy de Maupassant

The story revolves around a young man who travels to Paris with the intention of committing suicide by throwing himself into the Seine River. However, he becomes distracted by the city's beauty and decides to explore it instead. He visits various famous landmarks, including Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum, where he sees the Mona Lisa painting. The young man is struck by the contrast between the beauty of the art and the ugliness of life. As he continues his journey, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with society and its values. He meets a woman who represents the idealized feminine figure, but she turns out to be shallow and unfulfilling. The story explores themes of alienation, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. The young man's experiences serve as a commentary on the societal norms and expectations that can lead individuals to feel disconnected and unhappy.

By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1881 · Genre: Realism, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary · 3,145 words

Editions

First lines

Is there any stronger feeling than curiosity in a woman? Oh! Fancy seeing, knowing, touching what one has dreamt about! What would a woman not do for that? When once a woman's eager curiosity is aroused, she will be guilty of any folly, commit any imprudence, venture upon anything, and recoil from nothing. I am speaking of women who are really women, who are endowed with that triple-bottomed disposition, which appears to be reasonable and cold on the surface, but whose three secret compartments are filled. The first, with female uneasiness, which is always in a state of flutter; the next, with sly tricks which are colored in imitation of good faith, with those sophistical and formidable tricks of apparently devout women; and the last, with all those charming, improper acts, with that delightful deceit, exquisite perfidy, and all those wayward qualities, which drive lovers who are stupidly credulous, to suicide; but which delight others.

Open reader

What this Textopian page supports

An Adventure in Paris is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1881 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: 1881 CE
Language: English
Genres: Realism, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary, Adventure, Satire
Length: 3,145 words
Structure: 1 section, 30 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for An Adventure in Paris 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

Similar titles

Genres

Realism — The narrative focuses on the everyday life and inner desires of a provincial woman, highlighting realistic social settings and character motivations.
Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the protagonist's inner thoughts, emotions, and curiosity, exploring her psychological motivations and desires.
Social Commentary — The text critiques societal norms and the allure of Parisian life, reflecting on the contrast between provincial and urban experiences.
Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a personal journey to Paris, seeking new experiences and understanding of life beyond her provincial existence.