The Pardon by Guy De Maupassant
The story revolves around a young man who seeks revenge against the woman he believes wronged him by marrying another man. He kidnaps her and demands that she confess to having loved him before marrying his rival, but ultimately kills her when she refuses to do so. The narrative explores themes of love, betrayal, and the destructive nature of obsession.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1885 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Drama, Romance · 2,391 words
First lines
She had been brought up in one of those families who live shut up in themselves, and seem to be remote from everything. They pay no attention to political events, although they chat about them at table, and changes in government seem so far, so very far away that they are spoken of only as a matter of history -- like the death of Louis XVI, or the landing of Napoleon.
Customs change, fashions succeed each other, but this is hardly perceptible in the family where old traditions are always followed. And if some impossible story arises in the neighbourhood, the scandal of it dies at the threshold of this house.
What this Textopian page supports
The Pardon is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy De Maupassant, dated 1885 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: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Psychological Drama, Romance, Social Commentary, Tragedy
- Length: 2,391 words
- Structure: 1 section, 63 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Pardon 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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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Pardon?
- How does this short story by Guy De Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Father by Guy De Maupassant
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- Duchoux by Guy De Maupassant
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- A Humble Drama by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of love, betrayal, and societal norms through nuanced character development and rich prose.
- Psychological Drama — The narrative delves into the psychological turmoil of the characters, particularly the protagonist's emotional struggle with betrayal and trust.
- Romance — The story involves romantic relationships and the complications that arise from infidelity and emotional connections.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal expectations and the constraints of traditional family values, highlighting the disconnect between appearance and reality.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Realism · French Literature · 19th Century Novel · Social Commentary · Morality Tale · Tragic Love Story · Guilt and Redemption · Punishment and Forgiveness · Catholic Guilt · Moral Ambiguity · Philosophical Themes