The Mad Woman by Guy de Maupassant
A young woman's descent into madness after being abandoned by her lover, who had promised to marry her but instead left her for another woman. Her mental state deteriorates as she becomes increasingly obsessed with the idea of revenge against her former lover and his new partner. The story explores themes of love, betrayal, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1884 · Genre: Horror, Historical Fiction, Psychological Fiction · 1,426 words
Editions
First lines
"I can tell you a terrible story about the Franco-Prussian war," Monsieur d'Endolin said to some friends assembled in the smoking-room of Baron de Ravot's chateau. "You know my house in the Faubourg de Cormeil, I was living there when the Prussians came, and I had for a neighbor a kind of mad woman, who had lost her senses in consequence of a series of misfortunes. At the age of seven and twenty she had lost her father, her husband, and her newly born child, all in the space of a month.
What this Textopian page supports
The Mad Woman is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1884 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: 1884 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Historical Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Tragedy, Drama
- Length: 1,426 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Mad Woman by Guy de Maupassant
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Similar titles
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- The Parrot by Guy De Maupassant
- The Spasm by Guy De Maupassant
- Was It A Dream by Guy De Maupassant
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Genres
- Horror — The story contains elements of horror, including the unsettling fate of the mad woman and the eerie atmosphere created by the war and the forest.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set during the Franco-Prussian War, providing a historical backdrop that influences the plot and characters.
- Psychological Fiction — The focus on the mental state of the mad woman and the exploration of her psychological condition are central to the story.
- Tragedy — The story is marked by tragic events, including the woman's loss and eventual demise, highlighting themes of suffering and despair.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · French Literature · Realism · Naturalism · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Mental Illness · Isolation · Loneliness · Despair · Existential Crisis