The Door by Guy De Maupassant (1887)
A middle-aged man returns to his hometown after a long absence and visits the door of his childhood home, which has been locked for years. He reflects on his past life and relationships, particularly with a woman who died young. The story explores themes of nostalgia, regret, and the passage of time.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1887 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary · 2,267 words
Editions
First lines
"Ah! " exclaimed Karl Massouligny, "the question of complaisant husbands is a difficult one. I have seen many kinds, and yet I am unable to give an opinion about any of them. I have often tried to determine whether they are blind, weak, or clairvoyant. I believe that there are some who belong to each of these categories.
What this Textopian page supports
The Door is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy De Maupassant, dated 1887 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: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama, Romance
- Length: 2,267 words
- Structure: 1 section, 52 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Door 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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Similar titles
- The Sign by Guy De Maupassant
- The Last Step by Guy De Maupassant
- The Door by Guy De Maupassant
- Saved by Guy De Maupassant
- Brooksmith by Henry James
- In The Wood by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex human emotions and relationships, focusing on themes of jealousy, infidelity, and societal norms.
- Psychological Fiction — It delves into the psychological motivations and inner thoughts of the characters, particularly regarding their perceptions of love and fidelity.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques societal expectations and the dynamics of marriage and relationships in a specific cultural context.
- Drama — The tension and emotional conflicts between characters create a dramatic atmosphere throughout the story.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · French Literature · Realism · Existentialism · Philosophical Themes · Mystery · Suspense · Paranoid Narrator · Isolation · Loneliness · Despair