The Assassin by Guy De Maupassant
The story revolves around a young man who seeks revenge against the woman he believes wronged him by killing her husband and then herself. He becomes an assassin, targeting women who have committed adultery, believing that they are responsible for the downfall of society. As he continues his killings, he begins to question his own morality and the true nature of his actions.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1865 · Genre: Psychological Fiction, Crime Fiction, Social Commentary · 2,130 words
First lines
The guilty man was defended by a very young counsel; it was his first brief, and he spoke as follows:
"The facts, gentlemen of the jury, are undeniable. My client, a respectable man, an employee without a stain on his character, a gentle and timid man, has assassinated his employer in a burst of rage that seems incomprehensible. Will you allow me to explain the psychology of this crime, if I may so call it, extenuating nothing and excusing nothing? You shall judge it after that.
What this Textopian page supports
The Assassin is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy De Maupassant, dated 1865 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: 1865 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Fiction, Crime Fiction, Social Commentary, Tragedy, Realism
- Length: 2,130 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Assassin 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Assassin?
- How does this short story by Guy De Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Psychological Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Confession by Guy De Maupassant
- The Man Out Of The Nose by Ambrose Bierce
- A Dead Womans Secret by Guy De Maupassant
- The Avenger by Guy De Maupassant
- A Party by Guy De Maupassant
- A Parricide by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves deeply into the psychological motivations and moral dilemmas of the characters, particularly the assassin's reverence and emotional turmoil.
- Crime Fiction — The plot centers around a murder and the subsequent trial, focusing on the crime and its implications.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques societal norms, morality, and the legal system, reflecting on the nature of reverence and corruption.
- Tragedy — The story explores themes of loss, betrayal, and the tragic consequences of blind faith and naivety.
Tags
Psychological Thriller · Mystery · Crime Fiction · Short Story · French Literature · 19th Century Literature · Dark Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Morality Tale · Gothic Elements · Suspenseful Plot