The White Lady by Guy de Maupassant
A young woman returns to her family's estate after a long absence and becomes obsessed with the legend of a White Lady who haunts the property. As she delves deeper into the story, she begins to experience strange occurrences that blur the lines between reality and myth. The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and the power of storytelling to shape our perceptions of the world.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1882 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Romance, Supernatural · 2,200 words
First lines
Fortuna, the goddess of chance and good luck, has always been _Cupid's_ best ally and Arnold T., who was a lieutenant in a hussar regiment, was evidently a special favorite of both those roguish deities.
What this Textopian page supports
The White Lady 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: Gothic Fiction, Romance, Supernatural, Mystery, Historical Fiction
- Length: 2,200 words
- Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The White Lady 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The White Lady?
- How does this short story by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- An Apparition by Guy De Maupassant
- The Witch by Aleksandr Kuprin
- Madam Crowls Ghost by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
- The Dead Woman by Guy De Maupassant
- Sister Maddelena by Ralph Adams Cram
- The Beetle by Richard Marsh
Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The story features a mysterious castle, a ghostly apparition, and an eerie atmosphere, all hallmarks of Gothic fiction.
- Romance — The narrative includes elements of romantic intrigue, particularly involving the protagonist's interactions with the Countess.
- Supernatural — The presence of the 'White Lady' ghost and the supernatural occurrences are central to the plot.
- Mystery — The story involves unraveling the mystery of the 'White Lady' and her appearances.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · French Literature · Gothic Horror · Supernatural · Mystery · Thriller · Suspense · Atmosphere of Fear · Isolation · Loneliness · Madness