# The Kiss explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Guy de Maupassant.

## What happens

An old aunt, Collette, advises her crying niece that she may be losing her husband's affection because she kisses him too much and at inappropriate times. She argues that love is a delicate art where the kiss is the most powerful weapon, but it must be used with tact and restraint. She illustrates her point with examples of poorly timed kisses that annoy rather than endear.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Desire

The chapter explores the nature of love and the power of physical affection, particularly the kiss, as both a divine sensation and a fragile tool.

### Gender and Power

The aunt discusses how women wield power through charm and caresses, but must be careful not to abuse this power, revealing the dynamics of control in romantic relationships.

### Illusion vs. Reality

The chapter contrasts the romantic ideal of a kiss with the mundane reality of a cold, damp veil, showing how context and perception shape the value of a caress.

## Character check-ins

### Guy de Maupassant

Author of the chapter, writing in the voice of the old aunt.

## Key lines

> Love, my dear, is made up of imperceptible sensations. We know that it is as strong as death, but also as frail as glass.

Love consists of subtle feelings; it is both immensely powerful and extremely fragile.

_The aunt emphasizes the delicate nature of love._

> It is in the kiss alone that one sometimes seems to feel this union of souls after which we strive, the intermingling of swooning hearts, as it were.

Only in a kiss do we occasionally experience the merging of souls that we long for.

_The aunt describes the kiss as the ultimate expression of emotional unity._

> An ill-placed kiss may do any amount of harm.

A kiss given at the wrong time can cause significant damage to a relationship.

_The aunt warns against untimely displays of affection._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/the-kiss
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_23_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters