One Night's Entertainment
The story revolves around a young woman who seeks revenge against her former lover for abandoning her after she became pregnant with his child. She manipulates him into believing that their daughter has died and then demands money from him, pretending to be the girl's nurse. The man eventually discovers the truth but is too ashamed to confront the woman directly.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1885 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Drama · 2,767 words
First lines
Sergeant-Major Varajou had got eight days' leave to visit his sister, Mme. Padoie. Varajou, who was garrisoned at Rennes, and led a gay life there, finding himself penniless and in disgrace with his family, had written to his sister that he would be able to devote a week's freedom to her. Not that he was very fond of Mme. Padoie, a sententious little woman, pious and always ill-tempered, but he needed money, he needed it badly, and he remembered that the Padoies were the only remaining relatives on whom he had not levied toll.
What this Textopian page supports
One Night's Entertainment is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Guy De Maupassant
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Realism, Drama, Comedy, Social Commentary
- Length: 2,767 words
- Structure: 1 section, 110 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for One Night's Entertainment by Guy De Maupassant
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering One Night's Entertainment?
- How does this short story by Guy De Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex characters and social themes, focusing on personal and familial relationships.
- Realism — The narrative depicts everyday life and social dynamics in a realistic manner, highlighting the mundane aspects of existence.
- Drama — The story contains dramatic elements, particularly in the interactions and conflicts between characters.
- Comedy — There are comedic elements in the protagonist's misadventures and misunderstandings, particularly in social settings.
Tags
French Literature · Short Story · Realism · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Morality Tale · Tragic Ending · Dark Humor · Satire · Critique of Society · Human Nature · Vanity