Miss Harriet by Guy de Maupassant
The novel revolves around the life of a young woman who marries an older man for financial security and social status. She struggles with her own desires and the societal expectations placed upon her, leading to inner turmoil and ultimately, tragedy. The story explores themes of love, morality, and the constraints of Victorian society.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1884 · Genre: Realism, Romanticism, Tragedy · 9,236 words
Editions
First lines
There were seven of us in a four-in-hand, four women and three men, one of whom was on the box seat beside the coachman. We were following, at a foot pace, broad highway which serpentines along the coast.
Setting out from Etretat at break of day, in order to visit the ruins of Tancarville, we were still asleep, chilled by the fresh air of the morning. The women, especially, who were but little accustomed to these early excursions, let their eyelids fall and rise every moment, nodding their heads or yawning, quite insensible to the glory of the dawn.
What this Textopian page supports
Miss Harriet is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1884 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: 1884 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Romanticism, Tragedy, Psychological Fiction, Short Story
- Length: 9,236 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 161 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Miss Harriet 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
Similar titles
- A Wedding Gift by Guy De Maupassant
- The Hairpin by Guy De Maupassant
- Madame Hermet by Guy De Maupassant
- The Rendezvous by Guy De Maupassant
- The Baroness by Guy De Maupassant
- Rosalie Prudent by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Realism — The narrative focuses on detailed depictions of everyday life and the psychological depth of characters.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, emotion, and individualism are prevalent, with a focus on personal experience and introspection.
- Tragedy — The story involves a profound sense of loss and the tragic fate of the protagonist, Miss Harriet.
- Psychological Fiction — Explores the inner thoughts and emotional struggles of the characters, particularly the protagonist.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Realism · French Literature · Short Story · Victorian Era · Social Commentary · Marriage · Relationships · Love · Deception · Appearance vs Reality · Class Differences