1. The Piece of String
Guy de Maupassant

2. Author Information 1850-1893 (42 years old)
Grew up in wealthy family in Normandy, France
Was educated by his mother and a priest until he was 13 years old.
Went to Seminary school where he read classics (Shakespeare)
Dropped out of school to join French army
After the war, became a government clerk, all while writing short stories.

3. Guy de Maupassant

4. Author Information “Boule de Suif” (Ball of Fat) first published story
It made Maupassant an overnight sensation
Quit his job and began writing short stories and articles for newspapers
Known for: clarity, telling details, plot twists and surprise endings
Also wrote “The Necklace”
1891 had a mental and physical breakdown common in final stages of syphilis.
Died in Paris 1893

5. Author Information Wrote 300 Short Stories Wrote 6 novels
Write 3 travel books
Considered the Father of Modern Short Story

6. Historical Context
Maupassant joined the French Army in 1870, helped fight Franco- Prussian War
War ended in 1883
France emerged into new economic and social status: famous writers, economy was thriving

7. Historical Context World Expo held in Paris (Eiffel Tower Built)
Separation between rich and poor becoming greater
The more Maupassant saw, the more adverse
he felt towards society. Started to
withdrawal.

8. “The Piece of String” Summary
One day, an old farmer, Maitre (Mr/Master) Hauchecorne went into the town of Goderville with the other peasants to buy and sell his wares. On the way, he looked down and saw an old piece of string in the mud. Because he felt that everything was worth picking up, he decided to pick it up and thought about what he could use it for.
However, Maitre Malandain, the harness-maker saw him pick it up.

9. “The Piece of String” Summary
Malandain and Hauchecorne used to be friends, but had a dispute over a halter and have been bitter enemies since.
Knowing that it would look bad to pick up the string, Haucehecorne pretended that he had dropped something more important and poked around in the dirt a little longer.

10. “The Piece of String” Summary
Later that day, a town crier came through, announcing that there was a reward being offered for anyone who found a lost wallet on the way into town.
Hauchecorne was called to the mayor’s office as he was seen earlier in the day picking up something from the road.
He denied it and showed that he had only picked up the piece of string.

11. “The Piece of String” Summary
Because people respected Malandain for his wealth, they belived him when he said that he saw Hauchecorne pick up the wallet.
Hauchecorne lost his mind. He tried to tell everyone and anyone who would listen what happened.
Later, someone turned in the wallet. Hauchecorne thought his reputation would be given back. However, because of the way he acted, they thought that he had put the wallet back on the road for someone else to find to turn in.

12. “The Piece of String” Summary
Hauchecorne spent every bit of energy trying to explain his side of the story, which only made him seem crazier.
No one would listen. And those who entertained the idea of listening, only did so in order to mock him.
Hauchecorne became paranoid and began wasting away.
On his death bed, his last words were: A little bit of string…

13. Literary Elements
Internal/External Conflict: Picking up string/reaction
Imagery: The Men walked easily, lurching the whole body forward at every step. Their long legs were twisted and deformed by the slow, painful labors of the country, by bending over the plough, which is what also makes their left shoulders too high and their figures crooked…
Symbolism: String-useless, pride

14. Literary Elements
Hyperbole: He went home, ashamed and indignant, choked with rage, with confusion, the more cast down since from his Norman cunning, he was, perhaps, capable…
Conflict-internal/external: Picking up the string, admitting that he was cheap, fighting off views of others, admitting that he was only picking up a piece of string, conflict with Malandain
Irony: His entire fate could have been avoided if he had just not had too much pride in hiding the fact that he was only picking up a piece o string.

15. Vocabulary Maitre: Mr. or Master
Char-a-banc: a car with a wagon on the back
Francs: French money
Indignation: anger resulting from injustice
Incredulity: disbelief/doubt

16. Study Questions
1. How does Cause and Effect dictate the plot of this story?
2. What do you think is Hauchecorne’s greatest fault?
3. Do you think Malandain really believes that Hauchecorne found the wallet? Why? If not, why does he lie?
4. Explain how the stories' conflict is a commentary on today’s society?

17. Study Questions 5. What is Hauchecorne’s internal conflict?
6. What does Hauchecorne’s reaction to the events say about his character?
7. How does the description of peasants bargaining for cattle prepare you for the skepticism that Hauchecorne faces after the wallet is returned?
8. Is the story’s ending believable? Why or why not?

18. Interesting Notes:
-Would think that Hauchecorne would get more support because most of the people in the market are poor and would relate to him picking up the string. Similar to picking up pennies (or other change today). -Story takes place in early 1900’s but still see evidence of injustice based on wealth and mocking of others

19. Interesting Notes:
A lot of what happened to Hauchecorne was brought on by himself. He didn’t need to come back to the market to push for the truth, he could have just gone home and let it go. Deciding what battles to fight and which ones to let go.

20. Connections: Camus/Absurdity- situation and results absurd
Response wasn’t to get revenge (like characters in Hamlet), response was pleading for truth to be recognized.
Common Themes: Good vs. Evil, lack of justice, disconnected with community