That Pig of a Morin
The story revolves around a young woman who marries a wealthy and older man, but her life becomes miserable due to his cruel treatment of her. She tries to escape by pretending to be ill, but he discovers her ruse and punishes her severely. The narrative explores themes of oppression, cruelty, and the desperation that can arise from being trapped in an unhappy marriage. The protagonist's situation is further complicated by her own flaws and weaknesses, which contribute to her downfall.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1884 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Drama · 5,040 words
First lines
"Here, my friend," I said to Labarbe, "you have just repeated those five words, that pig of a Morin. Why on earth do I never hear Morin's name mentioned without his being called a pig?"
Labarbe, who is a deputy, looked at me with his owl-like eyes and said: "Do you mean to say that you do not know Morin's story and you come from La Rochelle? " I was obliged to declare that I did not know Morin's story, so Labarbe rubbed his hands and began his recital.
What this Textopian page supports
That Pig of a Morin is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1884 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: 1884 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Drama, Romance, Realism
- Length: 5,040 words
- Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for That Pig of a Morin 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 That Pig of a Morin?
- How does this short story by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Comedy — The story is filled with humorous situations and character interactions, particularly in the way Morin's misadventures and the narrator's attempts to resolve them are portrayed.
- Satire — The narrative satirizes social norms and human behavior, especially through the depiction of Morin's foolishness and the societal reactions to his actions.
- Drama — The plot involves dramatic elements such as Morin's public scandal, the emotional turmoil he experiences, and the resolution of the conflict.
- Romance — There are romantic undertones in the interactions between the narrator and Henriette, adding a layer of romantic intrigue to the story.
Tags
French Literature · Realism · Short Story · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Struggle · Proletariat · Bourgeoisie · Critique of Capitalism · Morality · Ethics · Philosophy