The Hermit by 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 dog and the occasional visitor who comes to collect rent from him. The Hermit's life is one of solitude, simplicity, and routine. He spends most of his time fishing, reading, and tending to his garden. Despite his isolation, he appears content with his existence.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1886 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Philosophical Fiction · 3,170 words
First lines
Together with some friends, we had been to see the old hermit living on an ancient tumulus, covered with great trees, in the midst of the vast plain that stretches from Cannes to La Napoule.
On the way back, we talked about these strange solitary layman, once so numerous, whose kind have now almost disappeared from the earth. We sought for the moral motives, and made an effort to realise what could be the nature of the sorrows that formerly drove men into solitary places.
What this Textopian page supports
The Hermit 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: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Realism, Short Story
- Length: 3,170 words
- Structure: 1 section, 57 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hermit 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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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Hermit?
- How does this short story by Guy De Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deep themes of isolation, existential reflection, and the human condition, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the psychological state of the recluse, examining his thoughts, emotions, and motivations.
- Philosophical Fiction — The story raises questions about life choices, morality, and the nature of happiness, aligning with philosophical themes.
- Realism — The depiction of everyday life and the exploration of social issues reflect the principles of realism.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · French Literature · 19th Century · Realism · Existentialism · Isolation · Loneliness · Mental Health · Obsession · Darkness · Morality