Bombard by Guy De Maupassant (1884)
The novel revolves around the life of a young woman who marries an older man for financial security. She becomes pregnant and gives birth to a child, but her husband's infidelity leads to a tragic outcome. The story explores themes of love, marriage, and the societal pressures that women faced during this time period.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1884 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Comedy · 2,226 words
First lines
Life often seemed very hard to Simon Bombard! He was born with an incredible capacity for doing nothing and with an immoderate desire to follow this vocation. All effort, whether moral or physical, every movement accomplished for a purpose, appeared to him beyond his strength. As soon as he heard anyone speak of anything serious he became confused, his mind being incapable of tension or even attention.
The son of a linen-draper in Caen, he took things easily, as they said in the family, until he was twenty-five years of age. But as his parents were always nearer bankruptcy than fortune, he suffered greatly for want of money.
What this Textopian page supports
Bombard 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: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Comedy, Romance, Character Study
- Length: 2,226 words
- Structure: 1 section, 48 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Bombard 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 Bombard?
- How does this short story by Guy De Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex characters and themes, focusing on the intricacies of human relationships and societal norms.
- Social Commentary — It critiques social class and the pursuit of wealth, highlighting the absurdities of societal expectations.
- Comedy — The narrative employs humor and irony, particularly in the protagonist's misguided pursuits and interactions.
- Romance — The plot centers around romantic relationships and the protagonist's quest for love and financial security.
Tags
French Literature · Realism · Psychological Fiction · Short Story Collection · 19th Century · Social Commentary · Critique of Bourgeoisie · Existential Crisis · Alienation · Loneliness · Isolation · Human Nature