Pierrot by Guy de Maupassant (1888)
The story revolves around a young man who becomes infatuated with a beautiful woman and begins to obsess over her, despite knowing she is already engaged to be married. His fixation on her leads him to make reckless decisions that ultimately result in his downfall. The narrative explores themes of unrequited love, obsession, and the destructive nature of unchecked emotions.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1888 · Genre: Short Story, Realism, Tragedy · 2,201 words
First lines
Mme. Lefevre was a country dame, a widow, one of these half peasants, with ribbons and bonnets with trimming on them, one of those persons who clipped her words and put on great airs in public, concealing the soul of a pretentious animal beneath a comical and bedizened exterior, just as the country-folks hide their coarse red hands in ecru silk gloves.
She had a servant, a good simple peasant, called Rose.
What this Textopian page supports
Pierrot 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: Short Story, Realism, Tragedy, Satire, Drama
- Length: 2,201 words
- Structure: 1 section, 61 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Pierrot by Guy de Maupassant
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and focuses on a single incident, typical of short stories.
- Realism — The story depicts everyday life and ordinary characters with a focus on realistic details.
- Tragedy — The plot involves a series of unfortunate events leading to a sorrowful conclusion.
- Satire — The narrative critiques societal norms and human behavior through irony and exaggeration.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Realism · Short Story · Tragic Love · French Literature · Symbolic Character · Loneliness · Isolation · Melancholy · Despair · Obsession · Unrequited Love