Was it a Dream? by Guy de Maupassant
The story revolves around a young man who has a recurring dream where he is a wolf. In the dream, he runs through the forest and attacks a woman, but when he wakes up, he feels guilty and ashamed. The narrative explores his inner turmoil and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1888 · Genre: Horror, Gothic, Psychological Fiction · 2,166 words
First lines
"I had loved her madly!
"Why does one love? Why does one love? How queer it is to see only one being in the world, to have only one thought in one's mind, only one desire in the heart, and only one name on the lips -- a name which comes up continually, rising, like the water in a spring, from the depths of the soul to the lips, a name which one repeats over and over again, which one whispers ceaselessly, everywhere, like a prayer.
What this Textopian page supports
Was it a Dream? is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1888 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: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Gothic, Psychological Fiction, Romance, Tragedy
- Length: 2,166 words
- Structure: 1 section, 27 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Was it a Dream? 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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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Was it a Dream??
- How does this short story by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Mad Woman by Guy De Maupassant
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- The Diary Of A Madman by Guy De Maupassant
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Genres
- Horror — The story involves supernatural elements, such as the dead rising from their graves to reveal truths, creating a chilling and eerie atmosphere.
- Gothic — The narrative includes themes of death, decay, and the macabre, set in a cemetery, which are characteristic of Gothic literature.
- Psychological Fiction — The protagonist's intense emotional turmoil and descent into madness are central to the story, exploring the psychological impact of grief and loss.
- Romance — The story is driven by the protagonist's passionate and obsessive love for the deceased woman, which is a key element of the plot.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · French Literature · Realism · Symbolism · Existential Crisis · Dreams and Reality · Philosophical Themes · Social Commentary · Human Nature · Mental Health · Paranoia