Fear by Guy De Maupassant (1885)
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after serving in the military and becomes infatuated with a woman he meets at a local inn. He begins to stalk her, following her everywhere she goes, and eventually kidnaps her. The narrative explores themes of obsession, possession, and the blurring of reality and fantasy.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1885 · Genre: Psychological Horror, Gothic Fiction, Adventure · 2,819 words
First lines
We went on deck after dinner. There was not a ripple on the whole Mediterranean, whose smooth surface shone like silver under the great moon. The big steamer glided along, throwing up a curling column of thick black smoke toward the starlit sky and in our wake the white water churned up by the screw and the rapid movement of the huge ship, foamed and twisted, gleaming with such phosphorus as though it were nothing but bubbling moonlight.
What this Textopian page supports
Fear is listed on Textopian as a novel by Guy De Maupassant, dated 1885 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: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Horror, Gothic Fiction, Adventure, Literary Fiction, Short Story
- Length: 2,819 words
- Structure: 1 section, 56 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Fear 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 Fear?
- How does this novel by Guy De Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Psychological Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Psychological Horror — The exploration of fear as a profound psychological experience, delving into the mind's reaction to terror and the unknown.
- Gothic Fiction — Elements of the supernatural, dark settings, and themes of dread and anxiety contribute to a gothic atmosphere.
- Adventure — The narrative includes elements of travel and exploration in exotic locations, highlighting the protagonist's encounters with danger.
- Literary Fiction — The work emphasizes character development and thematic depth, focusing on existential reflections on fear and mortality.
Tags
Psychological Thriller · Short Story Collection · French Literature · 19th Century Fiction · Dark Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Existentialism · Philosophical Themes · Morality Tales · Human Nature · Fear and Anxiety