On the River by Guy de Maupassant

Name: On the River
Author: Guy de Maupassant

The story revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after many years away and becomes infatuated with a woman he meets on the riverbank. His obsession with her grows, but she remains elusive and unattainable, symbolizing the unbridgeable gap between desire and reality. As the narrative unfolds, the protagonist's fixation intensifies, leading him down a path of self-destruction and despair. The story explores themes of love, loneliness, and the human condition, raising questions about the nature of desire and the consequences of unchecked passion. The tale is characterized by its concise and direct style, which creates a sense of urgency and inevitability. The narrative's focus on the protagonist's inner world and his emotional turmoil adds to the overall atmosphere of psychological intensity. Ultimately, the story builds towards a tragic conclusion that underscores the destructive power of unrequited love and the devastating consequences of allowing one's desires to consume them.

By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1888 · Genre: Horror, Psychological Fiction, Adventure · 2,646 words

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First lines

I rented a little country house last summer on the banks of the Seine, several leagues from Paris, and went out there to sleep every evening. After a few days I made the acquaintance of one of my neighbors, a man between thirty and forty, who certainly was the most curious specimen I ever met. He was an old boating man, and crazy about boating. He was always beside the water, on the water, or in the water. He must have been born in a boat, and he will certainly die in a boat at the last.

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What this Textopian page supports

On the River is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1888 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: 1888 CE
Language: English
Genres: Horror, Psychological Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Literary Fiction
Length: 2,646 words
Structure: 1 section, 29 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Work identity for On the River by Guy de Maupassant
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Genres

Horror — The story contains elements of fear, suspense, and the supernatural, particularly in the protagonist's eerie experiences on the river and the discovery of a corpse.
Psychological Fiction — The narrative explores the protagonist's internal conflict and fear, highlighting the duality of human nature and the struggle between rationality and irrational fear.
Adventure — The protagonist's experiences on the river, including the challenges faced and the unexpected discovery, align with themes of exploration and adventure.
Mystery — The story involves the mysterious circumstances surrounding the corpse found in the river, creating an element of intrigue and investigation.