Caught in the very Act
The story revolves around a young woman who is caught in the act of adultery by her husband and his mistress. The scene unfolds with the husband's mistress attempting to flee but being caught by the husband. The wife, however, remains calm and composed throughout the ordeal. As the situation escalates, the husband becomes increasingly agitated, while the mistress tries to deflect blame onto the wife. Meanwhile, the wife maintains her composure, seemingly unbothered by the events unfolding around her. The story explores themes of infidelity, deception, and the complexities of human relationships. Through this narrative, the author critiques societal norms surrounding marriage and morality.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1881 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Drama · 1,916 words
First lines
"It is certain," Sulpice de Laurier said, "that I had absolutely forgotten the date on which I was to allow myself to be taken in the very act, with a mistress for the occasion. As neither my wife nor I had any serious nor plausible reason for a divorce, not even the slightest incompatibility of temper, and as there is always a risk of not softening the heart of even the most indulgent judge when he is told that the parties have agreed to drag their load separately, each for themselves, that they are too frisky, too fond of pleasure and of wandering about from place to place to continue the conjugal experiment, we between us got up the ingenious stage arrangement of, 'a serious wrong.'
What this Textopian page supports
Caught in the very Act is listed on Textopian as a novella by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1881 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Guy de Maupassant
- Date: 1881 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Drama, Romance, Crime
- Length: 1,916 words
- Structure: 1 section, 40 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Caught in the very Act 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 Caught in the very Act?
- How does this novella by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Comedy — The narrative is driven by humorous situations and misunderstandings, particularly the protagonist's frantic efforts to stage an affair for a divorce.
- Satire — The story critiques societal norms and the legal system, especially the absurdity of needing a scandal for a divorce.
- Drama — The plot involves dramatic elements such as deception, mistaken identity, and courtroom tension.
- Romance — The story involves themes of love and relationships, albeit in a non-traditional and comedic context.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Realism · French Literature · Short Story Collection · Social Commentary · Morality Tale · Satire · Dark Humor · Irony · Critique of Society · Human Nature · Moral Ambiguity