The Beggar by Guy de Maupassant
A young woman's life unravels after she becomes infatuated with a beggar who claims to be a prince. Her obsession leads her to abandon her family and social status, ultimately resulting in tragic consequences.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1885 · Genre: Realism, Tragedy, Social Commentary · 2,110 words
First lines
He had seen better days, despite his present misery and infirmities.
At the age of fifteen both his legs had been crushed by a carriage on the Varville highway. From that time forth he begged, dragging himself along the roads and through the farmyards, supported by crutches which forced his shoulders up to his ears. His head looked as if it were squeezed in between two mountains.
What this Textopian page supports
The Beggar is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1885 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: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Tragedy, Social Commentary, Naturalism, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 2,110 words
- Structure: 1 section, 41 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Beggar 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 Beggar?
- 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
- The Legacy by Guy De Maupassant
- The Peddler by Guy De Maupassant
- The String by Guy De Maupassant
- The Little Cask by Guy De Maupassant
- The Snipe by Guy De Maupassant
- The Man With The Dogs by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Realism — The narrative focuses on the detailed depiction of everyday life and the struggles of a beggar, emphasizing the harsh realities of poverty and social neglect.
- Tragedy — The story follows the protagonist's inevitable downfall due to societal indifference and personal misfortune, culminating in his death.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal attitudes towards the poor and marginalized, highlighting issues of social injustice and human indifference.
- Naturalism — The narrative presents a deterministic view of the protagonist's life, shaped by his environment and circumstances beyond his control.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Realism · French Literature · Short Story · Social Commentary · Poverty · Class Struggle · Human Nature · Morality · Philosophy · Existentialism · Societal Critique