The Keeper by Guy De Maupassant
The story revolves around a young man who becomes infatuated with his sister-in-law and begins to plot her murder. He rationalizes his actions by convincing himself that she is having an affair with his brother, and that killing her will be a form of revenge. The narrative explores the complexities of human psychology and the blurred lines between love, hate, and morality.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Tragedy · 3,231 words
First lines
After dinner we were recounting shooting adventures and accidents.
An old friend of ours, Monsieur Boniface, a great slayer of beasts and drinker of wine, a strong and debonair fellow, full of wit, sense, and a philosophy at once ironical and resigned, which revealed itself in biting humour and never in melancholy, spoke abruptly:
What this Textopian page supports
The Keeper is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy De Maupassant, dated 1883 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: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Tragedy, Psychological Fiction, Adventure
- Length: 3,231 words
- Structure: 1 section, 110 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Keeper 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Keeper?
- 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?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of morality, human nature, and the consequences of actions, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Drama — The narrative unfolds with intense emotional conflicts and character-driven events, typical of dramatic storytelling.
- Tragedy — The story culminates in a tragic event, highlighting themes of loss, guilt, and the irreversible consequences of one's actions.
- Psychological Fiction — The characters' internal struggles and motivations are central to the plot, reflecting psychological depth.
Tags
Psychological Thriller · Short Story · French Literature · 19th Century Fiction · Mystery · Suspense · Crime Fiction · Gothic Horror · Dark Fantasy · Paranormal · Supernatural · Isolation