Beside a Dead Man by Guy de Maupassant

Name: Beside a Dead Man
Author: Guy de Maupassant

The story revolves around a young man who visits his deceased friend's grave and reflects on their past relationship. He recalls how they were inseparable but also how he was often jealous of the attention his friend received from others. As he stands by the grave, he realizes that his feelings towards his friend have changed over time. He no longer feels the same level of affection or admiration for him. Instead, he is consumed by a sense of resentment and anger towards his friend's death. The young man's thoughts are interrupted by the arrival of a woman who has come to visit her own deceased loved one at the cemetery. She strikes up a conversation with the young man, and they begin to talk about their shared experiences of loss. Through their conversation, it becomes clear that both characters have been deeply affected by the death of someone close to them. The young man's feelings of resentment towards his friend are contrasted with the woman's sense of guilt and regret over her own role in her loved one's death. The story explores themes of grief, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. It raises questions about how we process our emotions after a significant loss and how these experiences shape us as individuals.

By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1888 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Horror · 1,798 words

Editions

First lines

He was slowly dying, as consumptives die. I saw him sitting down every day at two o'clock under the windows of the hotel, facing the tranquil sea on an open-air bench. He remained for some time without moving, in the heat of the sun gazing mournfully at the Mediterranean. Every now and then, he cast a glance at the lofty mountains with vaporous summits which shuts in Mentone: then, with a very slow movement, he crossed his long legs, so thin that they seemed two bones, around which fluttered the cloth of his trousers, and he opened a book, which was always the same. And then he did not stir any more, but read on, read on with his eye and his mind; all his expiring body seemed to read, all his soul plunged, lost itself, disappeared, in this book, up to the hour when the cool air made him cough a little. Then, he got up and re-entered the hotel.

Open reader

What this Textopian page supports

Beside a Dead Man is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1888 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: 1888 CE
Language: English
Genres: Philosophical Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Short Story
Length: 1,798 words
Structure: 1 section, 53 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Beside a Dead Man 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

Philosophical Fiction — The narrative revolves around philosophical themes, particularly the influence of Schopenhauer's ideas on the characters.
Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the psychological impact of Schopenhauer's philosophy on the narrator and the German character.
Horror — Elements of horror are present in the depiction of Schopenhauer's corpse and the eerie atmosphere during the night watch.
Literary Fiction — The writing style and thematic depth align with the conventions of literary fiction, focusing on character introspection and existential themes.