The Olive Orchard

Name: The Olive Orchard
Author: Guy De Maupassant

The story revolves around a young woman who lives with her mother and sister in a small village surrounded by an olive orchard. The family's financial situation is precarious, and the women are forced to live off the charity of their neighbors. As the seasons change, the women struggle to make ends meet, and tensions rise within the household. The mother is desperate to secure a better future for her daughters, while the sister is increasingly frustrated with her circumstances. The narrative explores themes of poverty, desperation, and the struggles faced by women in rural France during this time period.

By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1888 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Tragedy, Psychological Fiction · 3 chapters · 10,726 words

First lines

When the shore-loafers of the small Provencal port of Garandou on the Bay of Pisca, between Marseilles and Toulon, caught sight of Abbé Vilbois' boat coming back from fishing, they went down to the beach to help him draw it in.

The Abbé was alone in the boat, rowing like a seaman, with unusual energy, in spite of his fifty-eight years. His sleeves were turned up over his muscular arms, his cassock drawn up, gathered tightly between his knees and unbuttoned at the top, his shovel hat on the seat beside him and a pith helmet covered with white linen on his head, he looked like one of those solidly built, fantastic priests from the tropics, more suited for adventure than for saying Mass.

What this Textopian page supports

The Olive Orchard is listed on Textopian as a novel 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: Novel
Author: Guy De Maupassant
Date: 1888 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Tragedy, Psychological Fiction, Drama, Historical Fiction
Length: 10,726 words
Structure: 3 chapters, 317 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Work identity for The Olive Orchard by Guy De Maupassant
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Discussion starters

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How does this novel by Guy De Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity, morality, and the human condition through rich character development and introspective narrative.
Tragedy — The story involves profound personal and familial conflict, leading to a tragic conclusion that highlights the consequences of past actions.
Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the psychological struggles of the protagonist, particularly regarding guilt, betrayal, and the search for redemption.
Drama — The intense interpersonal conflicts and emotional exchanges between characters create a dramatic atmosphere throughout the story.