Bellflower by Guy de Maupassant
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security and to escape her impoverished circumstances. However, she soon finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage with a man who is emotionally distant and physically abusive. The narrative explores themes of loneliness, desperation, and the consequences of making pragmatic decisions over emotional fulfillment.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1885 · Genre: Realism, Tragedy, Drama · 2,105 words
First lines
[1] Clochette.
How strange are those old recollections which haunt us, without our being able to get rid of them!
What this Textopian page supports
Bellflower is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1885 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: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Tragedy, Drama, Psychological Fiction, Historical Fiction
- Length: 2,105 words
- Structure: 1 section, 37 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Bellflower 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 Bellflower?
- 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
- Old Amable by Guy De Maupassant
- Bertha by Guy De Maupassant
- Pierrot by Guy De Maupassant
- Old Milon by Guy De Maupassant
- Yvette by Guy De Maupassant
- A Son by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Realism — The narrative focuses on everyday life and ordinary people, depicting realistic events and characters with detailed descriptions.
- Tragedy — The story centers around the tragic life and death of Mother Bellflower, highlighting themes of suffering and loss.
- Drama — The plot involves emotional and dramatic elements, particularly in the revelation of Mother Bellflower's past and her untimely death.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the psychological impact of past events on the narrator, exploring memory and emotional responses.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Realism · French Literature · Short Story · Tragic Love · Melancholy · Despair · Loneliness · Obsession · Unrequited Love · Jealousy · Madness