Joseph by Guy de Maupassant (1885)
The novel revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after serving in the military and becomes infatuated with a woman named Josephine. He begins an affair with her, but she ultimately rejects him due to his lack of social standing. The protagonist's obsession with Josephine leads to his downfall as he becomes increasingly isolated from society.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1885 · Genre: Comedy, Drama, Satire · 2,912 words
What this Textopian page supports
Joseph is listed on Textopian as a novella 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: Novella
- Author: Guy de Maupassant
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Satire, Romance, Social Commentary
- Length: 2,912 words
- Structure: 1 section, 50 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Joseph by Guy de Maupassant
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Joseph?
- 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 filled with humorous and satirical elements, particularly in the depiction of the women's drunken conversation and their views on love and marriage.
- Drama — The story explores themes of love, infidelity, and societal norms, creating a dramatic tension between the characters' desires and their social roles.
- Satire — The work satirizes the upper-class society and its frivolous attitudes towards relationships and marriage, highlighting the absurdity of their behavior.
- Romance — The plot revolves around romantic and sexual relationships, focusing on the characters' pursuit of love and affection outside of marriage.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Realism · French Literature · Short Story Collection · 19th Century Literature · Existentialism · Philosophical Themes · Human Nature · Morality · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Individualism