At Sea by Guy De Maupassant (1881)
The story revolves around a young man who sets sail on a ship to escape his past and the woman he loves. He becomes infatuated with a fellow passenger, but their relationship is complicated by her engagement to another man. The narrative explores themes of love, obsession, and the human condition through the protagonist's inner monologue and interactions with those around him.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1881 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Adventure · 2,214 words
First lines
The following lines recently appeared in the press:
"Boulogne-sur-Mer, January 22. "From our correspondent. "A frightful disaster has occurred which throws into consternation our maritime population, so grievously afflicted for the last two years. The fishing boat, commanded by Captain Javel, entering into port, was carried to the west, and broken upon the rocks of the breakwater near the pier. In spite of the efforts of the lifeboat, and of lifelines shot out to them, four men and a cabin boy perished. The bad weather continues. Further wrecks are feared. "
What this Textopian page supports
At Sea 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: Literary Fiction, Realism, Adventure, Tragedy, Maritime Fiction
- Length: 2,214 words
- Structure: 1 section, 47 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for At Sea 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 At Sea?
- 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?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deep themes of human suffering, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of life at sea, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of the struggles and dangers faced by fishermen, emphasizing the gritty details of their lives.
- Adventure — The plot involves perilous sea voyages and the challenges of fishing, embodying elements of adventure.
- Tragedy — The story contains tragic elements, particularly the loss and suffering experienced by the characters.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Maritime Fiction · Short Story Collection · French Literature · Realism · Naturalism · Existentialism · Philosophical Themes · Human Nature · Isolation · Loneliness · Despair