Beside the Bed by Guy De Maupassant
The story revolves around a young woman who has been abandoned by her lover and is left alone to contemplate the end of their relationship. She reflects on the memories they shared together, including a night when he stayed beside her bed after a fight. The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and the fragility of human relationships.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1888 · Genre: Drama, Realism, Psychological · 2,868 words
First lines
A great fire blazed on the hearth. On the Japanese table two teacups faced each other, and the teapot steamed on one side, near a sugar-basin flanked by a decanter of rum.
The Comte de Sallure threw his hat, his gloves, and his fur coat on a chair, while the Comtesse, her evening cloak flung off, smoothed her hair lightly in front of the mirror. She was smiling happily to herself, and tapping the hair that curled above her temples with the tips of her slender fingers, gleaming with rings. Then she turned towards her husband. He looked at her for some minutes, in a hesitant sort of way, as if a secret thought were troubling him.
What this Textopian page supports
Beside the Bed is listed on Textopian as a novel 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: Novel
- Author: Guy De Maupassant
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Realism, Psychological, Romance, Satire
- Length: 2,868 words
- Structure: 1 section, 118 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Beside the Bed 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 Beside the Bed?
- How does this novel by Guy De Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Drama first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Drama — The work explores intense emotional conflicts and interpersonal relationships, focusing on the dynamics of marriage and infidelity.
- Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of societal norms and personal dilemmas, reflecting the complexities of human behavior.
- Psychological — The characters' internal struggles and motivations are central to the plot, revealing their psychological states and conflicts.
- Romance — The themes of love, desire, and betrayal are prominent, showcasing romantic entanglements and emotional tensions.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · Realism · French Literature · 19th Century · Literary Classic · Moral Ambiguity · Social Commentary · Marriage · Infidelity · Deception · Guilt