The Child by Guy de Maupassant
A young boy's innocence and naivety are exploited by a group of adults who use him for their own amusement and financial gain. The story explores the themes of childhood vulnerability and the corrupting influence of adult desires.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1886 · Genre: Tragedy, Drama, Psychological Fiction · 2,242 words
First lines
Lemonnier had remained a widower with one child. He had loved his wife devotedly, with a tender and exalted love, without a slip, during their entire married life. He was a good, honest man, perfectly simple, sincere, without suspicion or malice.
He fell in love with a poor neighbor, proposed and was accepted. He was making a very comfortable living out of the wholesale cloth business, and he did not for a minute suspect that the young girl might have accepted him for anything else but himself.
What this Textopian page supports
The Child is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1886 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: 1886 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Tragedy, Drama, Psychological Fiction, Realism, Short Story
- Length: 2,242 words
- Structure: 1 section, 65 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Child 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 The Child?
- How does this short story by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Tragedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Duel by Guy De Maupassant
- A Coward by Guy De Maupassant
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- The Cripple by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Tragedy — The narrative centers on themes of love, betrayal, and despair, culminating in the tragic suicide of the protagonist.
- Drama — The story explores intense emotional conflicts and relationships, particularly focusing on familial and romantic dynamics.
- Psychological Fiction — The work delves into the psychological turmoil of the protagonist, examining his obsessive love and subsequent mental breakdown.
- Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of domestic life and societal norms, emphasizing character development and everyday events.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · French Literature · Realism · Naturalism · Existential Crisis · Childhood Trauma · Coming of Age · Social Commentary · Class Struggle · Poverty · Desperation