The Old Maid by Guy de Maupassant
A young woman returns to her family's estate after a long absence and becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships and power struggles with the other women in the household. The story explores themes of love, desire, and social status through the lens of a seemingly innocent game of cards.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1886 · Genre: Drama, Romance, Tragedy · 3,974 words
First lines
Count Eustache d'Etchegorry's solitary country house had the appearance of a poor man's home, where people do not have enough to eat every day in the week, where the bottles are more frequently filled at the pump than in the cellar, and where they wait until it is dark before lighting the candles.
What this Textopian page supports
The Old Maid 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: Drama, Romance, Tragedy, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary
- Length: 3,974 words
- Structure: 1 section, 39 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Old Maid by Guy de Maupassant
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Old Maid?
- 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
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Genres
- Drama — The narrative focuses on intense emotional conflicts, personal struggles, and the tragic elements of the characters' lives.
- Romance — Central to the story is a romantic relationship that profoundly affects the protagonist's life and decisions.
- Tragedy — The story contains elements of downfall and suffering, particularly in the protagonist's unfulfilled love and personal sacrifices.
- Psychological Fiction — The work delves into the inner thoughts and emotional states of the characters, exploring themes of regret, love, and self-sacrifice.
Tags
Short Story · French Literature · Realism · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Marriage · Love · Loneliness · Isolation · Class Differences · Society · Morality