The Thief by Guy de Maupassant

Name: The Thief
Author: Guy de Maupassant

A young man returns to his hometown after a long absence and becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships with the local people, particularly a woman who may be involved with another man. The story explores themes of love, loyalty, and deception.

By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1865 · Genre: Drama, Tragedy, Romance · 2,011 words

First lines

While apparently thinking of something else, Dr. Sorbier had been listening quietly to those amazing accounts of burglaries and daring deeds that might have been taken from the trial of Cartouche. "Assuredly," he exclaimed, "assuredly, I know of no viler fault nor any meaner action than to attack a girl's innocence, to corrupt her, to profit by a moment of unconscious weakness and of madness, when her heart is beating like that of a frightened fawn, and her pure lips seek those of her tempter; when she abandons herself without thinking of the irremediable stain, nor of her fall, nor of the morrow.

What this Textopian page supports

The Thief is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1865 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: 1865 CE
Language: English
Genres: Drama, Tragedy, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Crime
Length: 2,011 words
Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Drama — The narrative focuses on intense emotional conflicts and moral dilemmas, characteristic of dramatic literature.
Tragedy — The story involves a protagonist who suffers a downfall due to a combination of personal flaws and external circumstances, leading to a tragic ending.
Romance — Central to the plot is a passionate and doomed love affair, a common theme in romantic literature.
Psychological Fiction — The work delves into the inner thoughts and motivations of characters, exploring complex emotional and psychological states.