Paul's Mistress by Guy de Maupassant
The story revolves around a middle-aged man who becomes infatuated with his young mistress. He is torn between his desire for her and the societal expectations placed upon him. The narrative explores themes of love, morality, and the constraints of social class.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1881 · Genre: Realism, Romance, Drama · 8,000 words
Editions
First lines
The Restaurant Grillon, a small commonwealth of boatmen, was slowly emptying. In front of the door all was a tumult of cries and calls, while the jolly dogs in white flannels gesticulated with oars on their shoulders.
The ladies in bright spring toilets stepped aboard the skiffs with care, and seating themselves astern, arranged their dresses, while the landlord of the establishment, a mighty individual with a red beard, of renowned strength, offered his hand to the pretty dears, with great self-possession, keeping the frail craft steady.
What this Textopian page supports
Paul's Mistress is listed on Textopian as a novella by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1881 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: 1881 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Romance, Drama, Tragedy, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 8,000 words
- Structure: 1 section, 181 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Paul's Mistress 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
- Realism — The narrative focuses on everyday life and ordinary characters, depicting realistic social settings and interactions.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around a romantic relationship, exploring love, jealousy, and emotional turmoil.
- Drama — The story contains intense emotional conflicts and dramatic situations, particularly in the protagonist's personal struggles.
- Tragedy — The narrative concludes with a tragic event, highlighting the destructive nature of the protagonist's emotions.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Realism · French Literature · 19th Century Novel · Marriage · Infidelity · Social Commentary · Morality · Philosophy · Existentialism · Human Nature · Relationships