The Orphan by Guy de Maupassant
A young girl is abandoned on the doorstep of a convent and grows up there, unaware of her true identity. She becomes a beautiful and innocent woman, but also naive and vulnerable to manipulation. As she navigates the complexities of adulthood, she faces various challenges and hardships that test her character and resilience.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1881 · Genre: Psychological Fiction, Drama, Mystery · 2,803 words
Editions
First lines
Mademoiselle Source had adopted this boy under very sad circumstances. She was at the time thirty-six years old. Being disfigured through having as a child slipped off her nurse's lap into the fireplace and burned her face shockingly, she had determined not to marry, for she did not want any man to marry her for her money.
What this Textopian page supports
The Orphan is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1881 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: 1881 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Fiction, Drama, Mystery, Gothic Fiction, Tragedy
- Length: 2,803 words
- Structure: 1 section, 70 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Orphan 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
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Similar titles
- The Spasm by Guy De Maupassant
- Abandoned by Guy De Maupassant
- The Last Step by Guy De Maupassant
- The Inn by Guy De Maupassant
- Nerves by Guy De Maupassant
- Was It A Dream by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves deeply into the psychological states of the characters, particularly focusing on fear, suspicion, and the mental transformation of the orphan.
- Drama — The narrative is driven by intense emotional and relational conflicts, especially between Mademoiselle Source and the orphan.
- Mystery — The plot revolves around the mysterious behavior of the orphan and the unresolved question of Mademoiselle Source's murder.
- Gothic Fiction — Elements of fear, isolation, and the ominous atmosphere contribute to a gothic tone throughout the story.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · Tragic Ending · French Literature · Realism · Existential Crisis · Loneliness · Isolation · Mental Health · Emotional Turmoil · Social Commentary · Human Condition