Beside Schopenhauer's Corpse
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after many years abroad and becomes infatuated with a woman he had previously known. He tries to rekindle their relationship but she rejects him, leading to a downward spiral of despair and ultimately, madness. The narrative explores themes of unrequited love, rejection, and the destructive power of unchecked emotions.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1884 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Horror, Psychological Fiction · 1,785 words
First lines
He was slowly dying, as consumptives die. I saw him each day, about two o'clock, sitting beneath the hotel windows on a bench in the promenade, looking out on the calm sea. 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 beclouded summits that shut in Mentone; then, with a very slow movement, he would cross his long legs, so thin that they seemed like two bones, around which fluttered the cloth of his trousers, and he would open a book, always the same book. And then he did not stir any more, but read on, read on with his eye and his mind; all his wasting body seemed to read, all his soul plunged, lost, disappeared, in this book, up to the hour when the cool air made him cough a little. Then, he got up and reentered the hotel.
What this Textopian page supports
Beside Schopenhauer's Corpse is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1884 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: 1884 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Fiction, Horror, Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction, Short Story
- Length: 1,785 words
- Structure: 1 section, 54 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Beside Schopenhauer's Corpse 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
- Beside A Dead Man by Guy De Maupassant
- The Snipe by Guy De Maupassant
- A Coward by Guy De Maupassant
- The Diary Of A Madman by Guy De Maupassant
- He by Guy De Maupassant
- Relics Of The Past by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative revolves around the influence of Schopenhauer's philosophy, exploring themes of existentialism and skepticism.
- Horror — The story includes elements of supernatural and psychological horror, particularly in the depiction of Schopenhauer's corpse and the eerie atmosphere.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the psychological impact of Schopenhauer's philosophy on the characters, highlighting their internal struggles and existential reflections.
- Literary Fiction — The work is characterized by its sophisticated narrative style and exploration of complex themes, typical of literary fiction.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Psychological Insight · Dark Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Existential Crisis · French Literature · Realism · Absurdity · Critique of Bourgeoisie · Morality Play · Human Nature