The Wooden Shoes by Guy De Maupassant

Name: The Wooden Shoes
Author: Guy De Maupassant

The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security. She becomes pregnant and gives birth to twins, but the father's true nature is revealed when he abandons her after discovering she has given birth to two children instead of one. The woman is left alone with her children, struggling to make ends meet.

By Guy De Maupassant · First published 1860 · Genre: Realism, Social Commentary, Drama · 2,405 words

Editions

First lines

The old priest was mumbling the last words of his sermon over the white caps of the peasant women, and the rough or greasy heads of the men. The large baskets of the farmers' wives who had come from a distance to attend Mass were on the ground beside them, and the heavy heat of a July day caused them all to exhale a smell like that of cattle, or of a flock of sheep, and the cocks could be heard crowing through the large open door, as well as the lowing of the cows in a neighbouring field. From time to time a breath of wind, charged with the perfume of the fields, swept in through the main entrance, fluttered the ribbons in the women's hats, and made the little yellow candle flames on the altar tremble.

Open reader

What this Textopian page supports

The Wooden Shoes is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy De Maupassant, dated 1860 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: 1860 CE
Language: English
Genres: Realism, Social Commentary, Drama, Tragedy, Fiction
Length: 2,405 words
Structure: 1 section, 46 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Wooden Shoes 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

Similar titles

Genres

Realism — The narrative focuses on everyday life and the struggles of ordinary characters, depicting their social conditions and relationships.
Social Commentary — The story critiques societal norms, particularly regarding gender roles and the expectations placed on women in a rural setting.
Drama — The plot revolves around personal conflicts and emotional struggles, highlighting the characters' interactions and dilemmas.
Tragedy — The protagonist's situation leads to unfortunate consequences, reflecting the tragic aspects of her ignorance and societal pressures.