The Shepherd's Leap
A young shepherd returns to his village after a long absence and becomes embroiled in a series of events that expose the darker aspects of rural life. The story explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and the struggle for human connection in a harsh environment.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1882 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Tragedy, Realism · 1,673 words
First lines
High cliffs, perpendicular as a wall, skirt the seafront between Dieppe and Havre. In a depression in the cliffs, here and there, one sees a little narrow gulch with steep sides covered with short grass and gorse, which descends from the cultivated tableland toward a shingly beach, where it ends in a depression like the bed of a torrent. Nature made those valleys; the rainstorms created those depressions in which they terminate, wearing away what remained of the cliff, and channeling as far as the sea the bed of the stream.
Sometimes a village lies concealed in these gulches, into which the wind rushes straight from the open sea.
What this Textopian page supports
The Shepherd's Leap is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy De Maupassant, dated 1882 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: 1882 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Tragedy, Realism, Psychological Fiction, Gothic Fiction
- Length: 1,673 words
- Structure: 1 section, 27 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Shepherd's Leap 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 Shepherd's Leap?
- 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?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of morality, human nature, and societal norms through a nuanced narrative.
- Tragedy — The story involves a tragic event resulting from the priest's violent actions and the consequences that follow.
- Realism — The depiction of rural life, social dynamics, and the harsh realities of human behavior aligns with realist literature.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the psychological turmoil of the priest, exploring his internal conflicts and motivations.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Realism · French Literature · 19th Century · Short Story Collection · Existentialism · Philosophical Themes · Morality Tales · Social Commentary · Human Nature · Isolation · Loneliness