Virtue in the Ballet
The story revolves around a young woman who becomes involved with an older man and his mistress. The narrative explores the themes of morality, class, and the corrupting influence of wealth.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1869 · Genre: Romance, Drama, Social Commentary · 2,210 words
First lines
It is a strange feeling of pleasure that the writer about the stage and the characters of the theatrical feels, when he occasionally discovers a good, honest human heart in the twilight behind the scenes. Of all the witches and semi-witches of that eternal _Walpurgis night_, whose boards represent the world, the ladies of the ballet have at all times and in all places been regarded at least like saints, although Hacklaender repeatedly told in vain in his earlier novels, to convince us that true virtue appears in tights and short petticoats and is only to be found in ballet girls. I fear that the popular voice is right as a general rule, but is equally true that here and there one finds a pearl in the dust, and even in the dirt, and the short story that I am about to relate, will best illustrate my assertion.
What this Textopian page supports
Virtue in the Ballet is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1869 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: 1869 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Drama, Social Commentary, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 2,210 words
- Structure: 1 section, 37 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Virtue in the Ballet 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 Virtue in the Ballet?
- How does this short story by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Celibates by Honore De Balzac
- Pauls Mistress by Guy De Maupassant
- The Physiology Of Marriage Volume Ii by Honore De Balzac
- The Pitfall by Mary Cholmondeley
- Domestic Peace by Honore De Balzac
- Two Poets by Honore De Balzac
Genres
- Romance — The central theme revolves around a love story between a ballet dancer and a young count, exploring the dynamics of love, sacrifice, and social status.
- Drama — The narrative is filled with emotional conflicts, societal pressures, and personal sacrifices, creating a dramatic tension throughout the story.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques societal norms and expectations, particularly regarding class distinctions and the perception of virtue in women, especially those in the performing arts.
- Historical Fiction — Set in the 19th century, the story reflects the cultural and social milieu of the time, particularly in Vienna's theatrical world.
Tags
French Literature · Realism · Social Commentary · Morality · Philosophy · Psychology · Character Study · Satire · Critique of Society · Class Structure · Marriage · Love