Feminine Men by Guy De Maupassant
The story revolves around a young man who exhibits traditionally feminine traits, such as delicacy and sensitivity, which are considered unusual for his sex at the time. He struggles to conform to societal expectations of masculinity, leading to feelings of isolation and disconnection from others. As he navigates his relationships with women, he finds himself drawn to those who appreciate his unique qualities, but also faces rejection from those who view him as weak or effeminate. The narrative explores themes of identity, social norms, and the constraints placed on individuals by societal expectations.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1869 · Genre: Social Commentary, Satire, Psychological Fiction · 1,672 words
First lines
How often we hear people say, "That man is charming, but he is a woman, a regular girl. " They are alluding to the feminine men, the bane of our country.
For all we men in France are feminine, that is, fickle, fanciful, innocently treacherous, without consistency in our convictions or our will, violent and weak, as women are.
What this Textopian page supports
Feminine Men 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: Social Commentary, Satire, Psychological Fiction, Character Study, Drama
- Length: 1,672 words
- Structure: 1 section, 27 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Feminine Men 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 Feminine Men?
- How does this short story by Guy De Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Social Commentary first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal norms and behaviors, particularly regarding masculinity and femininity.
- Satire — It employs humor and irony to expose the flaws and contradictions in the behavior of 'feminine men'.
- Psychological Fiction — The exploration of the inner workings and emotional states of characters reflects psychological depth.
- Character Study — Focuses on the traits and behaviors of a specific type of man, providing detailed character analysis.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Realism · French Literature · 19th Century Literature · Masculinity Studies · Feminist Theory · Social Commentary · Satire · Irony · Critique of Society · Human Nature · Morality