Decorated! by Guy de Maupassant
The story revolves around a young woman who has been imprisoned for murdering her husband. She recounts the events leading up to the crime, revealing a complex web of relationships and motivations that ultimately led to the tragic outcome. The narrative explores themes of love, betrayal, and the societal pressures that can drive individuals to extreme actions.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1869 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Social Commentary · 2,436 words
First lines
Some people are born with a predominant instinct, with some vocation or some desire aroused, from the very moment they begin to speak or to think.
Ever since he was a child Monsieur Sacrement had only had one idea in his head -- to be decorated. When he was still quite a small boy he used to wear a zinc Cross of the Legion of Honour just as other children wear a soldier's cap, and he took his mother's hand in the street with a proud look, sticking out his little chest with its red ribbon and metal star so that it might show to advantage.
What this Textopian page supports
Decorated! is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1869 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: 1869 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Comedy, Social Commentary, Drama, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 2,436 words
- Structure: 1 section, 67 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Decorated! by Guy de Maupassant
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Decorated!?
- How does this short story by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Satire — The story humorously critiques societal obsession with honors and decorations, highlighting the absurdity of such desires.
- Comedy — The narrative employs comedic elements through the protagonist's exaggerated fixation on receiving a decoration, leading to humorous situations.
- Social Commentary — The text provides insight into the social dynamics and values of the bourgeoisie, particularly their preoccupation with status and recognition.
- Drama — The protagonist's internal conflict and emotional turmoil over his lack of decoration add a dramatic layer to the story.
Tags
French Literature · Short Story Collection · Realism · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Satire · Dark Humor · Morbid Fascination · Human Nature · Flawed Characters · Tragic Heroes · Existential Crisis