Sundays of a Bourgeois
The novel explores the monotony and superficiality of upper-class life through a series of vignettes that take place on Sundays. The protagonist's family and their acquaintances are portrayed as being consumed by their own vanity, hypocrisy, and moral decay. The story highlights the emptiness and desperation that lies beneath the surface of their seemingly idyllic lives.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Realism, Satire, Short Story · 13,574 words
First lines
PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXCURSION
M. Patissot, born in Paris, after having failed in his examinations at the College Henri IV., like many others, had entered the government service through the influence of one of his aunts, who kept a tobacco store where the head of one of the departments bought his provisions.
What this Textopian page supports
Sundays of a Bourgeois is listed on Textopian as a novella by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1883 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: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Satire, Short Story, Social Commentary
- Length: 13,574 words
- Structure: 1 section, 264 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Sundays of a Bourgeois by Guy de Maupassant
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Sundays of a Bourgeois?
- How does this novella by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realism first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Realism — The narrative focuses on the everyday life and social conditions of the bourgeois class, depicted with detailed observation and a focus on the mundane aspects of life.
- Satire — The story employs humor and irony to critique the superficiality and pretensions of the bourgeoisie.
- Short Story — The work is structured as a concise narrative, typical of the short story format, focusing on a specific incident or character.
- Social Commentary — The text provides insights into the social dynamics and cultural norms of the time, particularly concerning the middle class.
Tags
Realism · French Literature · 19th Century Fiction · Social Commentary · Bourgeois Life · Middle Class · Satire · Critique of Society · Morality · Philosophy · Psychology · Human Nature