The Drunkard by Guy De Maupassant
The story revolves around a young man who becomes addicted to drink and loses his family due to his excessive drinking. He tries to reform but ultimately succumbs to his addiction again. The narrative explores the consequences of his actions on those around him, particularly his wife and children.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1857 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Psychological Drama · 2 chapters · 2,224 words
Editions
First lines
A northerly gale was blowing, sweeping across the sky vast wintry clouds, black and heavy, which in their passage flung furious showers of rain upon the earth.
The raging sea roared and shook the coast, hurling shorewards great slow-moving, frothing waves, which were shattered with the noise of a cannon. They came on quite quietly, one after another, mountain-high; at each squall they flung in the air the white foam of their crests like the sweat from monstrous heads.
What this Textopian page supports
The Drunkard is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy De Maupassant, dated 1857 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: 1857 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Realism, Psychological Drama, Tragedy, Social Commentary
- Length: 2,224 words
- Structure: 2 chapters, 66 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Drunkard 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
Similar titles
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- Mademoiselle by Guy De Maupassant
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- Madame Baptiste by Guy De Maupassant
- The Little Cask by Guy De Maupassant
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of addiction, domestic violence, and the human condition, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of the struggles of working-class individuals and the consequences of alcoholism.
- Psychological Drama — The story delves into the psychological effects of intoxication and the protagonist's mental state, highlighting inner turmoil.
- Tragedy — The narrative culminates in a tragic outcome, emphasizing the destructive nature of the protagonist's actions.
Tags
Tragic · Melancholic · Psychological · Dramatic · Realistic · Naturalist · French Literature · 19th Century · Social Commentary · Alcoholism · Addiction · Marriage