The Wrong House by Guy de Maupassant
A young woman returns to her childhood home after a long absence and discovers that it has been sold to strangers who are unaware of the house's dark history. As she observes them from afar, she becomes increasingly obsessed with the idea of reclaiming the house for herself. The story explores themes of possession, nostalgia, and the complexities of human relationships.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1886 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Drama · 2,730 words
First lines
Quartermaster Varajou had obtained a week's leave to go and visit his sister, Madame Padoie. Varajou, who was in garrison at Rennes and was leading a pretty gay life, finding himself high and dry, wrote to his sister saying that he would devote a week to her. It was not that he cared particularly for Mme. Padoie, a little moralist, a devotee, and always cross; but he needed money, needed it very badly, and he remembered that, of all his relations, the Padoies were the only ones whom he had never approached on the subject.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wrong House is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1886 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: 1886 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Drama, Realism
- Length: 2,730 words
- Structure: 1 section, 113 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wrong House by Guy de Maupassant
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Wrong House?
- How does this short story by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Comedy — The story revolves around humorous misunderstandings and social faux pas, particularly the protagonist's mistaken visit to a judge's house.
- Satire — The narrative critiques societal norms and the protagonist's lifestyle, highlighting the absurdity of his actions and attitudes.
- Drama — The plot includes elements of personal conflict and tension between the protagonist and his family, especially his sister.
- Realism — The story portrays everyday life and characters in a realistic manner, focusing on ordinary events and social interactions.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · French Literature · Realism · Social Commentary · Marriage · Relationships · Family Dynamics · Domesticity · Middle Class Life · Suburban Setting · Satire