The Tramp by Guy De Maupassant
The story revolves around a young man who has been living on the streets for years, surviving by his wits and physical strength. He is a vagabond, with no fixed abode or occupation, but he has developed a certain code of honor that guides his actions. He is a loner, preferring to keep to himself rather than forming attachments with others. However, when he meets a young woman who is also living on the streets, he begins to form a bond with her. The story explores themes of survival, morality, and the human condition, raising questions about what it means to be alive and how one should live their life.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1881 · Genre: Realism, Naturalism, Tragedy · 2,260 words
First lines
He had known better days, in spite of his poverty and his infirmity.
At the age of fifteen both his legs had been crushed by a carriage on the Varville high road. Ever since then he had been a beggar, dragging himself along the roads and across the farmyards, balanced on his crutches, which had forced his shoulders to the level of his ears. His head appeared buried between two hills.
What this Textopian page supports
The Tramp is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy De Maupassant, dated 1881 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: 1881 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Naturalism, Tragedy, Social Commentary, Fiction
- Length: 2,260 words
- Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Tramp by Guy De Maupassant
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Realism — The narrative focuses on the harsh realities of poverty and social neglect, depicting the protagonist's struggles in a realistic manner.
- Naturalism — The story illustrates the influence of environment and heredity on the character's fate, emphasizing the deterministic aspects of his life.
- Tragedy — The protagonist's life is marked by suffering and despair, culminating in a tragic end that evokes a sense of pity.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques societal attitudes towards the poor and marginalized, highlighting indifference and hostility.
Tags
Tragic · Melancholic · Poignant · Realistic · Naturalist · French · Literary · Classic · Novella · Short Story · Social Commentary · Class Struggle