A Piece Of String 1z5m6v

Group 2 - Einstein 12

A PIECE OF STRING Guy de Mauant

Synopsis One day, Hauchecorne bends down to pick up a piece of string. His enemy, Malandain, sees him do this. When a peasant claims to have been robbed, Malandain accuses Hauchecorne. Hauchecorne proclaims his innocence. In the morning, the pocketbook is found on the side of the road. Hauchecorne points to this as proof of his innocence, but the villagers still think he was the culprit. Hauchecorne realizes that his reputation as a crafty old man has turned the villagers against him. He can't convince them of his innocence. He dies repeating, "A little bit of string."

Author-dependent

Historical Biographical

Franco-German War, also called Franco-Prussian War, (July 19, 1870–May 10, 1871), war in which a coalition of German states led by Prussia defeated . The war marked the end of French hegemony in continental Europe and resulted in the creation of a unified .

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Guy De Mauant (1850 1893)

His stories are characterized by economy of style and efficient, effortless dénouements (outcomes). Many are set during the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s, describing the futility of war and the innocent civilians who, caught up in events beyond their control, are permanently changed by their experiences.

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Was of noble birth Naturalism and realism was his field During his time as a clerk in the navy department, Gustave Flaubert took him in and acted as his literary guardian. Guiding his debut in journalism and literature.

THEME # 1 Naturalism which emphasizes observation and the scientific method in the fictional portrayal of reality, wherein he shows the events that have occured during the Franco-Prussian War.

Text-dependent

Formalist/New Criticism Exegesis

Explication

He began to tell the story of the string. No one believed him. They laughed at him.

Disbelief

Short story

He talked of his adventure all day long; he stopped strangers to tell them about it.

Importunate

Simile and hyperbole

"It is nevertheless the truth of the good God, the sacred truth, M'sieu the Mayor. I repeat it on my soul and my salvation."

Innocence

imagery

Theme # 2 You can’t use facts or reality to reason with people who have been conditioned to believe that the lie is the truth and the truth is the lie.

Reader-dependent

Reader Response HATRED Malandin’s hatred and despise towards Hauchecorne lead him to falsely accuse Hauchecorne.

DECEPTION Malandin deceive people into thinking that Hauchecorne really did steal the missing pocketbook.

DISHONOR Hauchecorne became a laughingstock in town. He died with no one believing that he’s innocent.

THEME # 3 People are quick to believe the bad things they hear about a person. Words are so powerful that it can destroy someone’s life.

GRAND THEME There’s no use in proving your innocence to ignorant people. Innocence is the hardest thing to prove because people tend to believe the negative things rather than the positive things about a person. So instead of proving your innocence, just show them acts of kindness. As long as you and God knows that you did nothing wrong, it is enough.