Finis 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: Literary Fiction, Romance, Psychological Fiction · 2,657 words
First lines
As the Count of Lormerin finished dressing he cast a parting glance at the large mirror which occupied a whole panel in his dressing-room, and smiled.
He was really a fine-looking man, although quite grey. Tall, slight, elegant, with a small moustache of a doubtful shade that might be called fair, he had a presence, distinction, an aristocratic bearing, a "chic" in short, that indefinable quality that makes a greater difference between two men than the possession of millions of money. He murmured: "Lormerin is still alive! " and entered the big room where his correspondence awaited him.
What this Textopian page supports
Finis is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Guy De Maupassant
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Drama, Historical Fiction
- Length: 2,657 words
- Structure: 1 section, 42 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Finis 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 Finis?
- 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 themes of love, memory, and the passage of time, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around a past romantic relationship and the emotional turmoil associated with rekindling old feelings.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the protagonist's inner thoughts and emotional struggles, highlighting psychological depth.
- Drama — The story contains dramatic elements, focusing on personal conflict and emotional revelations.
Tags
French Literature · Short Story Collection · Psychological Fiction · Existentialism · Philosophical Themes · Morality Tales · Social Commentary · Critique of Bourgeoisie · Realism · Naturalism · Absurdity · Futility