The Hermit (Works Of Guy De Maupassant)
A middle-aged man lives alone in a small cottage on the outskirts of a village. He has no family and few acquaintances. His only companions are his books and his garden. He spends most of his time reading, writing, and tending to his plants. The villagers view him as eccentric and reclusive. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the Hermit is struggling with feelings of loneliness and isolation. Despite his attempts to connect with others, he remains disconnected from society. His only solace is in his books and his garden, which provide a sense of comfort and security. The Hermit's life is one of quiet desperation, as he struggles to find meaning and purpose in a world that seems to have moved on without him.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1886 · Genre: Psychological Fiction, Drama, Realism · 3,210 words
First lines
We had gone to see, with some friends, the old hermit installed on an antique mound covered with tall trees, in the midst of the vast plain which extends from Cannes to La Napoule.
On our return we spoke of those strange lay solitaries, numerous in former times, but now a vanished race. We sought to find out the moral causes, and endeavored to determine the nature of the griefs which in bygone days had driven men into solitudes.
What this Textopian page supports
The Hermit (Works Of Guy De Maupassant) 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: Psychological Fiction, Drama, Realism, Tragedy, Philosophical Fiction
- Length: 3,210 words
- Structure: 1 section, 69 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hermit (Works Of Guy De Maupassant) 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
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- The Last Step by Guy De Maupassant
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- The Old Man by Guy De Maupassant
- Suicides by Guy De Maupassant
- Abandoned by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Psychological Fiction — Explores the protagonist's internal conflict and emotional turmoil after a shocking revelation.
- Drama — Centers on intense personal and moral dilemmas faced by the main character.
- Realism — Depicts everyday life and human experiences with a focus on authenticity and detail.
- Tragedy — Involves a protagonist's downfall due to a grave personal mistake and its consequences.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · French Literature · 19th Century · Realism · Existentialism · Isolation · Loneliness · Mental Health · Philosophical · Absurdity · Dark Humor