The Old Man by Guy De Maupassant
The story revolves around a middle-aged man who has been living with his mother for many years. He is emotionally dependent on her and feels suffocated by the relationship. The old woman's death sets him free, but he soon realizes that he is unable to cope with the loss of her presence in his life. He becomes obsessed with finding a replacement for his mother, and begins to pursue a young woman who lives next door. However, his attempts at seduction are met with rejection, and he is forced to confront the reality of his own emotional immaturity. The story explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the difficulties of forming meaningful relationships in adulthood. The protagonist's inability to connect with others ultimately leads to his downfall, as he becomes increasingly isolated and disconnected from society.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1888 · Genre: Realism, Naturalism, Drama · 3,135 words
First lines
The warm autumn sunlight fell across the farmyard through the tall beeches at the roadside. Under the turf cropped by the cows, the earth was soft and moist with recent rain, and sank underfoot with a sound of sucked-in water; the apple trees laden with apples strewed the dark-green herbage with pale-green fruit.
Four young heifers were grazing, tethered in a line; from time to time they lowed towards the house; cocks and hens lent colour and movement to the dungheap in front of the cowshed, running round, cackling noisily, scratching in the dust, while the two cocks crowed without ceasing, looking for worms for their hens, and calling to them with lively clucks.
What this Textopian page supports
The Old Man is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy De Maupassant, dated 1888 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: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Naturalism, Drama, Tragedy, Fiction
- Length: 3,135 words
- Structure: 1 section, 97 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for The Old Man by Guy De Maupassant
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Old Man?
- How does this short story by Guy De Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Realism — The narrative focuses on the everyday lives of ordinary people, depicting their struggles and interactions in a straightforward manner.
- Naturalism — The story illustrates the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior, emphasizing the characters' harsh realities and the inevitability of death.
- Drama — The plot revolves around the emotional and social dynamics surrounding death, highlighting the tension and interactions among the characters.
- Tragedy — The themes of mortality and the characters' resigned acceptance of death contribute to a tragic atmosphere.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · French Literature · Realism · Existentialism · Philosophical · Mature Themes · Aging · Loneliness · Isolation · Death · Mortality