An Idyll by Guy De Maupassant (1883)
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his family's estate after years abroad and becomes infatuated with a beautiful woman who lives nearby. He begins an affair with her, but their relationship is complicated by the fact that she is already engaged to be married. As the young man's obsession with the woman grows, he starts to lose touch with reality and becomes increasingly isolated from his family and friends. His behavior becomes erratic and he starts to neglect his responsibilities. The story explores themes of love, obsession, and the destructive power of unchecked emotions. The young man's descent into madness is a tragic consequence of his all-consuming passion for the woman.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Realism, Naturalism, Social Commentary · 1,887 words
First lines
The train had just left Genoa, in the direction of Marseilles, and was following the rocky and sinuous coast, gliding like an iron serpent between the sea and the mountains, creeping over the yellow sand edged with silver waves and entering into the black-mouthed tunnels like a beast into its lair.
What this Textopian page supports
An Idyll 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, Naturalism, Social Commentary, Drama, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 1,887 words
- Structure: 1 section, 57 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for An Idyll by Guy De Maupassant
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Realism — The narrative focuses on everyday life and the struggles of ordinary people, depicting their thoughts and interactions in a straightforward manner.
- Naturalism — The story illustrates the influence of environment and biology on the characters, particularly in their physical and emotional states.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques social conditions and the plight of the working class, highlighting themes of poverty and survival.
- Drama — The interactions between the characters create tension and emotional depth, focusing on their personal struggles.
Tags
French Literature · Realism · Short Story · Poetic Prose · Nature Description · Romanticism · Idyllic Setting · Simple Language · Lyrical Style · Imagery Richness · Symbolic Meaning · Social Commentary