The Question of Latin
The story revolves around a young man who becomes infatuated with a woman and begins to obsess over her, but she remains indifferent to him. He tries various means to win her affection, including writing her letters and attempting to impress her with his knowledge of Latin, but she continues to rebuff him.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1877 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Social Commentary · 3,684 words
First lines
This subject of Latin that has been dinned into our ears for some time past recalls to my mind a story -- a story of my youth.
I was finishing my studies with a teacher, in a big central town, at the Institution Robineau, celebrated through the entire province for the special attention paid there to the study of Latin.
What this Textopian page supports
The Question of Latin is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1877 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: 1877 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Social Commentary, Romance, Coming-of-Age
- Length: 3,684 words
- Structure: 1 section, 147 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Question of Latin 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 Question of Latin?
- How does this short story by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Comedy — The story is filled with humorous situations and character interactions, particularly the practical joke played on Pere Piquedent and the resulting misunderstandings.
- Satire — The narrative satirizes the education system and societal norms, especially through the character of Pere Piquedent and his obsession with Latin.
- Social Commentary — The story provides insights into class differences and the struggles of the working class, as seen through the interactions between the characters.
- Romance — The plot involves a romantic element, albeit comically, with the relationship between Pere Piquedent and the laundress.
Tags
French Literature · Short Story Collection · Realism · Naturalism · 19th Century Fiction · Social Commentary · Class Structure · Morality · Philosophy · Existentialism · Psychological Insight · Human Nature