The Last Step by Guy de Maupassant
A young man returns to his hometown after a long absence and becomes infatuated with a woman who is engaged to be married. He tries to win her over but ultimately fails, leading to tragic consequences. The story explores themes of love, obsession, and the destructive power of unchecked emotions.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Drama, Romance, Psychological Fiction · 1,698 words
First lines
Monsier de Saint-Juery would not have deceived his old mistress for anything in the world: perhaps from an instinctive fear that he had heard of adventures that turn out badly, make a noise, and bring about hateful family quarrels, crises from which one emerges enervated and exasperated with destiny, and, as it were, with the weight of a bullet on one's feet, and also from his requirement for a calm, sheep-like existence, whose monotony was never disturbed by any shock, and perhaps from the remains of the love which had so entirely made him, during the first years of their connection, the slave of the proud, dominating beauty, and of the enthralling charm of that woman.
What this Textopian page supports
The Last Step 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: Drama, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary, Satire
- Length: 1,698 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Last Step 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 Last Step?
- How does this short story by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Drama first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Saved by Guy De Maupassant
- Saved by Guy De Maupassant
- The Test by Guy De Maupassant
- Abandoned by Guy De Maupassant
- One Evening by Guy De Maupassant
- A Cry Of Alarm by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Drama — The narrative focuses on intense emotional conflicts and personal relationships, particularly the complex dynamics between the main characters.
- Romance — The story revolves around a long-term romantic relationship and the emotional struggles associated with love and commitment.
- Psychological Fiction — The plot delves into the psychological motivations and internal conflicts of the characters, especially concerning fidelity and societal expectations.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques societal norms and expectations regarding marriage, reputation, and social status.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · French Literature · Realism · Existential Crisis · Mental Health · Isolation · Loneliness · Despair · Suicide · Philosophical Themes · Absurdity