The Accursed Bread
The story revolves around a group of people who are invited to a dinner party at the home of a wealthy and influential host. The evening begins with a sense of unease and tension among the guests, which escalates into chaos and violence. As the night wears on, the guests become increasingly agitated and paranoid, their behavior becoming more erratic and disturbing. The atmosphere becomes thick with anxiety and fear, and it becomes clear that something is terribly wrong. The host's intentions are revealed to be sinister, and the guests begin to turn on each other in a desperate bid for survival. The evening descends into complete chaos, with violence, madness, and destruction erupting throughout the house. Ultimately, the night ends in tragedy, with several of the guests meeting their demise in a shocking and disturbing climax.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1881 · Genre: Realism, Drama, Social Commentary · 2,314 words
First lines
I
Old Taille had three daughters: Anna, the eldest, who was scarcely ever mentioned in the family; Rose, the second girl, who was eighteen; and Clara, the youngest, who was a girl of fifteen.
What this Textopian page supports
The Accursed Bread is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Guy de Maupassant
- Date: 1881 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Drama, Social Commentary, Tragedy, Satire
- Length: 2,314 words
- Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Accursed Bread by Guy de Maupassant
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Accursed Bread?
- How does this short story by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Realism — The story focuses on everyday life and the social dynamics of a working-class family, highlighting realistic characters and situations.
- Drama — The narrative explores emotional and moral conflicts within a family, particularly around themes of social status and personal choices.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal norms and the impact of economic status on personal relationships and family dynamics.
- Tragedy — Underlying the narrative is a sense of inevitable downfall and emotional turmoil, especially concerning the character of Anna.
Tags
French Literature · Realism · Short Story Collection · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Dark Humor · Satire · Critique of Bourgeoisie · Existential Crisis · Alienation · Isolation · Mental Illness