The Unknown by Guy De Maupassant
The novel revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after being away for several years and becomes infatuated with an unknown woman he sees on the street. He becomes obsessed with finding her, but she remains elusive. The story explores themes of love, obsession, and the human desire for connection.
By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Psychological Fiction · 2,777 words
Editions
First lines
We were talking of lucky adventures and each of us had an odd happening to relate, delightful and unexpected encounters, in a railway carriage, in a hotel, abroad, on a seashore. Seashores, said Roger des Annettes, were uncommonly propitious for a love-affair.
Gontran, who had said nothing, was appealed to.
What this Textopian page supports
The Unknown is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Guy De Maupassant
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Realism, Short Story
- Length: 2,777 words
- Structure: 1 section, 51 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Unknown 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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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of desire, obsession, and the nature of love, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around romantic encounters and the protagonist's infatuation with a woman.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the protagonist's inner thoughts and emotional turmoil regarding his desires.
- Realism — The depiction of Parisian life and the characters' interactions reflect realistic social dynamics.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story Collection · French Literature · Realism · Naturalism · Existentialism · Philosophical Themes · Mystery · Suspense · Gothic Elements · Atmosphere of Dread · Isolation