Nerves by Guy De Maupassant (1889)
The story revolves around a young woman who suffers from intense anxiety and nervousness due to her repressed emotions and societal expectations. She is engaged to be married but feels trapped in the relationship and struggles with feelings of suffocation. Her condition worsens over time, leading to physical symptoms such as tremors and insomnia.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1889 · Genre: Psychological Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Realism · 2,183 words
First lines
The diners slowly entered the big hotel dining room and took their places. The waiters refrained from hurrying, so as to give the latecomers a chance, and avoid the trouble of handing the dishes round a second time. The old bathers, the habitués, whose season was almost over, looked intently at the door whenever it opened, to see what new faces might appear.
What this Textopian page supports
Nerves is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy De Maupassant, dated 1889 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: 1889 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Realism, Drama, Romance
- Length: 2,183 words
- Structure: 1 section, 52 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Nerves by Guy De Maupassant
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves deeply into the characters' mental states, exploring themes of trauma, anxiety, and the effects of past experiences on present behavior.
- Gothic Fiction — The story incorporates elements of the supernatural and the macabre, particularly through the themes of death and resurrection, as well as the eerie atmosphere surrounding the characters.
- Realism — The depiction of everyday life and social interactions at a watering-place reflects realistic portrayals of human relationships and societal norms.
- Drama — The intense emotional exchanges and personal conflicts between characters create a dramatic tension that drives the narrative.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story Collection · French Literature · Realism · Naturalism · Social Commentary · Mental Health · Anxiety · Nervous Breakdown · Isolation · Loneliness · Despair