The Christening by Guy De Maupassant
A young couple's child is christened and the event sparks a series of reflections on the meaninglessness of life and the inevitability of death. The story explores themes of existentialism and nihilism, highlighting the absurdity of human existence.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1869 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Drama · 1,800 words
First lines
In front of the farm-gates the men were waiting in their Sunday clothes. The May sun shed its burning light on the flowering apple trees which roofed the whole farmyard with blossom in great round fragrant bunches of pink and white. Petals fell round them in a ceaseless shower, fluttering and eddying into the tall grass, where the dandelions glittered like flames and the poppies were splashed in drops of blood.
A sow slumbered on the side of the manure-heap, and a band of little pigs with twisted, cord-like tails ran round her huge belly and swollen dugs.
What this Textopian page supports
The Christening is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy De Maupassant, dated 1869 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: 1869 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Realism, Drama, Social Commentary, Short Story
- Length: 1,800 words
- Structure: 1 section, 37 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Christening 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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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deep themes of life, family, and the human condition, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Realism — The narrative presents a detailed and realistic portrayal of rural life and social dynamics.
- Drama — The story contains emotional and interpersonal conflicts, particularly surrounding the themes of family and societal expectations.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques social norms and the roles of individuals within a community.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Realism · French Literature · 19th Century Novel · Short Story Collection · Social Commentary · Marriage · Family Dynamics · Class Conflict · Morality · Religion · Societal Expectations