Joseph by Guy de Maupassant (1885)

Name: Joseph
Author: Guy de Maupassant

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

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First lines

They were both of them drunk, quite drunk, little Baroness Andree de la Fraisieres and little Countess Noemi de Gardens. They had been dining alone together, in the large room which faced the sea. The soft breeze of a summer evening blew in at the open window, soft and fresh at the same time, a breeze that smelt of the sea. The two young women, extended in their lounging chairs, sipped their Chartreuse from time to time, as they smoked their cigarettes, and they were talking most confidentially, telling each other details which nothing but this charming intoxication could have induced their pretty lips to utter.

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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: Easy (6th Grade)

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Work identity for Joseph by Guy de Maupassant
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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.