The Will by Guy de Maupassant (1883)
A young man's will is discovered after his death, revealing a complex and troubled life. The document outlines the distribution of his estate, but also contains a series of cryptic bequests that reflect his inner turmoil and conflicted relationships with those around him. As the reader delves deeper into the will, it becomes clear that the young man's life was marked by a struggle to reconcile his desires and responsibilities, ultimately leading to a tragic conclusion.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Drama, Psychological Fiction, Tragedy · 2,073 words
Editions
First lines
I knew that tall young fellow, Rene de Bourneval. He was an agreeable man, though rather melancholy and seemed prejudiced against everything, was very skeptical, and he could with a word tear down social hypocrisy. He would often say:
"There are no honorable men, or, at least, they are only relatively so when compared with those lower than themselves."
What this Textopian page supports
The Will 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: Drama, Psychological Fiction, Tragedy, Social Commentary, Realism
- Length: 2,073 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Will 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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Similar titles
- An Unfortunate Likeness by Guy De Maupassant
- The Debt by Guy De Maupassant
- Moonlight by Guy De Maupassant
- Bellflower by Guy De Maupassant
- The Hole by Guy De Maupassant
- The Legacy by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Drama — The narrative centers on intense personal and familial conflicts, exploring themes of betrayal, love, and identity.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves deeply into the characters' inner thoughts and emotions, particularly focusing on the protagonist's struggle with his identity and family history.
- Tragedy — The plot involves a series of unfortunate events and emotional suffering, culminating in a duel and the death of key characters.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques societal norms and prejudices, particularly regarding marriage, legitimacy, and social status.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · French Literature · Realism · Existential Crisis · Mental Illness · Obsession · Desire · Jealousy · Love Triangle · Tragic Ending · Social Commentary