Tombstones by Guy de Maupassant
The story revolves around a young woman who returns to her hometown after being away for several years. She becomes infatuated with a local man and they begin an affair. However, their social differences and the societal norms of the time make it difficult for them to be together openly. The narrative explores themes of love, class, and morality in a small French town during the late 19th century.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1883 · Genre: Short Story, Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction · 3,109 words
First lines
The five friends had finished dinner, five men of the world, mature, rich, three married, the two others bachelors. They met like this every month in memory of their youth, and after dinner they chatted until two o'clock in the morning. Having remained intimate friends, and enjoying each other's society, they probably considered these the pleasantest evenings of their lives. They talked on every subject, especially of what interested and amused Parisians. Their conversation was, as in the majority of salons elsewhere, a verbal rehash of what they had read in the morning papers.
What this Textopian page supports
Tombstones 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: Short Story, Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Realism, Satire
- Length: 3,109 words
- Structure: 1 section, 71 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Tombstones by Guy de Maupassant
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Genres
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative focusing on a single incident or character, typical of short stories.
- Literary Fiction — The story explores complex themes such as human relationships, loneliness, and the passage of time, with a focus on character development and introspection.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the psychological motivations and emotions of the protagonist, particularly in relation to grief and human connection.
- Realism — The story presents a realistic portrayal of life and human behavior, with detailed descriptions of settings and social interactions.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story Collection · French Literature · Realism · Naturalism · Existential Themes · Mortality · Grief · Loss · Isolation · Loneliness · Human Condition