Bertha by Guy de Maupassant (1883)
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security and to escape her family's poverty. She becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships with various men, including her husband, his friends, and a younger suitor. The narrative explores themes of love, morality, and the societal pressures that shape women's lives during this period.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Psychological Fiction, Tragedy, Realism · 4,069 words
Editions
First lines
Dr. Bonnet, my old friend -- one sometimes has friends older than one's self -- had often invited me to spend some time with him at Riom, and, as I did not know Auvergne, I made up my mind to visit him in the summer of 1876.
What this Textopian page supports
Bertha 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: Psychological Fiction, Tragedy, Realism, Drama, Social Commentary
- Length: 4,069 words
- Structure: 1 section, 67 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Bertha 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
- A New Years Gift by Guy De Maupassant
- The Venial Sin by Honore De Balzac
- A Meeting by Guy De Maupassant
- A Coward by Guy De Maupassant
- The Helpmate by Anton Chekhov
- A Womam Of Thirty by Honore De Balzac
Genres
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves deeply into the mental state and development of the character Bertha, exploring themes of intellect, emotion, and madness.
- Tragedy — The narrative is centered around the tragic life of Bertha, whose mental condition leads to a series of unfortunate events and ultimately her madness.
- Realism — The writing style and setting reflect a realistic portrayal of 19th-century French society, focusing on ordinary characters and their psychological complexities.
- Drama — The plot is driven by intense emotional and interpersonal conflicts, particularly within Bertha's family and her marriage.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · French Literature · Realism · Naturalism · Social Commentary · Marriage · Relationships · Family Dynamics · Domesticity · Conformity · Rebellion