This is a story that keeps readers gripped to it throughout. It starts with a casual description of an old woman about to die on her bed, doctor examining and the woman's son about to abandon her.
Step-by-step explanation:
Similar to his other stories in some ways, this story of Maupassant also has a twist that makes reader love his writing more. This story's narration is on third person basis where readers understand characters in detail from the beginning of the story.
The Devil, in the story is kept as suspense till the end of the story.
The main theme of this story of Maupassant particularly is 'Money', 'Routine' and 'Hopeless Hard work'. Though characters are described in one perspective from the beginning of the story, eventually readers understand how mean and selfish humans have become only for the sake of money.
The line of La Rapet, where she settles her amount for six francs is the best statement to explain the theme of this story.