The Putter-To-Sleep
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his family's estate after a long absence and becomes obsessed with the idea of putting one of his relatives to sleep permanently. He begins to manipulate events to create an opportunity for this act, but ultimately fails due to unforeseen circumstances. The narrative explores themes of isolation, madness, and the blurring of reality and fantasy.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary, Gothic Fiction · 3,709 words
First lines
The Seine spread before my house without a wrinkle, varnished by the morning sun. It lay there, a lovely, wide, slow, long flood of silver, tarnished in places; and on the further side of the river a line of tall trees stretched along the bank a huge wall of verdure.
The feeling of life which begins again each morning, of life, fresh, gay, loving, shivered in the leaves, fluttered in the air, shimmered in the water.
What this Textopian page supports
The Putter-To-Sleep 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: Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary, Gothic Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Satire
- Length: 3,709 words
- Structure: 1 section, 120 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Putter-To-Sleep by Guy De Maupassant
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Putter-To-Sleep?
- How does this novel by Guy De Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Psychological Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Cry Of Alarm by Guy De Maupassant
- Toine by Guy De Maupassant
- Little Roque by Guy De Maupassant
- The Accursed Bread by Guy De Maupassant
- At Sea by Guy De Maupassant
- The Last Step by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves deeply into the psyche of individuals contemplating suicide, exploring their motivations and emotional turmoil.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques societal attitudes towards life and death, highlighting the stigma surrounding suicide and the need for compassion.
- Gothic Fiction — The themes of death, despair, and the macabre are prevalent, creating a dark and haunting atmosphere.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text engages with existential questions about the meaning of life and the nature of death, prompting reflection on human existence.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story Collection · French Literature · Realism · Naturalism · Dark Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Critique of Bourgeoisie · Existential Crisis · Mental Illness · Obsessive Behavior