The Port by Guy de Maupassant (1883)
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after years abroad and becomes infatuated with a woman he meets at the port. He begins an affair with her, but their relationship is complicated by her involvement with another man. The young man's obsession with the woman grows, leading him to make reckless decisions that ultimately lead to tragic consequences.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Realism, Drama, Adventure · 3,851 words
First lines
I
Having sailed from Havre on the 3rd of May, 1882, for a voyage in the China seas, the square-rigged three-master, _Notre Dame des Vents_, made her way back into the port of Marseilles, on the 8th of August, 1886, after an absence of four years. When she had discharged her first cargo in the Chinese port for which she was bound, she had immediately found a new freight for Buenos Ayres, and from that place had conveyed goods to Brazil.
What this Textopian page supports
The Port is listed on Textopian as a novel by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1883 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: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Drama, Adventure, Tragedy, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 3,851 words
- Structure: 1 section, 141 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Port 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Port?
- How does this novel by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- In Port by Guy De Maupassant
- Was It A Dream by Guy De Maupassant
- A Walk by Guy De Maupassant
- At Sea by Guy De Maupassant
- A Stroll by Guy De Maupassant
- Abandoned by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Realism — The narrative focuses on the detailed depiction of everyday life and the social conditions of the characters, typical of the realist genre.
- Drama — The story contains intense emotional conflicts and personal struggles, particularly the revelation of familial ties and the tragic circumstances of the characters.
- Adventure — The plot involves a sea voyage with various incidents and challenges, characteristic of adventure narratives.
- Tragedy — The story unfolds with a series of unfortunate events and a somber resolution, aligning with the elements of tragedy.
Tags
French Literature · Realism · Short Story · Maritime Fiction · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Isolation · Loneliness · Despair · Mental Health · Port City Life