GUY DE MAUPASSANTS VIEW ON THEIR SOCIAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS REFLECTED FROM HIS WORK THE PIECE OF STRING

GUY DE MAUPASSANTS VIEW ON THEIR SOCIAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS REFLECTED FROM HIS WORK THE PIECE OF STRINGHigh School Research

Presented to

Rizal Technological University

Laboratory High School

Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the

Project in the Subject English IV

By:

John Jarvie LlanzaRoivezon Alda

Fatima Dela Cueva

Clarence Joy Sanano

Daryl Louise Villanueva

February 2011APPROVAL SHEET

This thesis entitled GUY DE MAUPASSANTS VIEW ON THEIR SOCIAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS REFLECTED FROM HIS WORK THE PIECE OF STRING was presented and submitted by John Jarvie Llanza, Roivezon Alda, Fatima Eradiel Dela Cueva, Clarence Joy Sanano, Daryl Louise Villanueva who are hereby recommended for the corresponding oral examination.

February 2011 Ms. Lynn Besa

Date Adviser

Approved as partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Project in the Subject English IV, with the grade of____.

PANEL OF EXAMINERS

Chairman

Member

Member/Editor

Accepted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Project in the Subject English IV.

______________ PROF. EDNA P. CABRERA

Date Principal RTU-LHS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The researchers would like to extend their sincere gratitude to all the persons who facilitate, collaborate and guide them all through out the study.

Ms. Lynn Besa, English teacher of CED-LHS for her encouragement, patience and for her generous assistance in the research process despite of the researchers delayed compliance to the submission of the output of the studies. To never ending words of wisdom she imparted developed the researchers confidence to pursue this study.

To our parents, friends and classmates for giving comments and suggestions for the improvement of this study.CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Over the years, literature allows for different people to have different perspectives. If a piece of literature is too rigid, or does not have a broad enough scope to appeal to the readers, then it probably not be read very much. Good literature is adaptive, so that no matter whom the reader, they can enjoy the literature in the same manner as the next person. It doesnt necessarily have to conform to them individually, but to simply allow for their own unique position. Literature generally needs to be comfortable to the readers. For a person to remain interested in something it has to appeal to them in some way. It must be interesting, or contain informative information that they are looking for. Literature needs to serve a purpose, and it also has to do something. Many would say that literature is an art, and really does not have to serve purpose beyond.

Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893), French author of the naturalistic school who is generally considered the greatest French short story writer. Guy de Maupassant was probably born at the Chateau de Mirosmenial, Dieppe on August 5, 1850. In 1869, Maupassant started to study law in Paris, but soon at the age of 20, he volunteered to serve in the army during the Franco-Prussian War. Between the years 1872 and 1880 Maupassant was a civil servant, first the ministry of maritime affairs, then at the ministry of education.

Maupassant is generally considered to be the one of the masters of the short stories and the champion of the realist approach to writing. He also authored six novels, a volume of poetry, number of plays, three travel journals and several journalistic pieces. Short story writing, however, was clearly his strengthhe produced over 300 short stories from 1880 to 1890, the decade during which he penned the majority of his other works as well. He would have preferred fame as a novelist and likely would have garnered more critical attention if he had published more novels; critics have tended to regard the short story as a lesser form of literature. As a result, at least in part, Maupassant, though widely recognize outside this native country, usually has not been numbered among the most acclaimed of Frances 19th century prose writers---Gustave Flaubert, Emile Zola, and Honore de Balzac. Maupassant drew upon his own day-to-day life experiences as material for his work, focusing on the peasants native to his homeland, to service of the government employees, the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, and his own private hallucinations and feelings of dread.Statement of the Problem

This study attempted to determine Guy de Maupassants View on Their Service Justice System as reflected from his work The Piece of String.

Specifically, the study sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the analysis of the story The Piece of String?

2. How was the social life of Guy de Maupassant?

3. What are the factors that motivate the author to write The Piece of String?Significance of the Study

This study is very significant not only for the teachers, students and for those who are interested in short stories but also to those who make reviews on different short stories in extensive manner.

For students, this will help them to assimilate facts from the literary works to the persona of its author. For the teachers, they can fully explain to their students that a literary work is not just a merely product of imagination of its author, perhaps are written or inspired by life, experiences and influences of the people surrounding them. For those whose purpose is to make reviews on the works of the authors, they will be guided as to how they could assess literary pieces in on orderly manner covering not only the content of the story but also the analysis of the authors life as a major component.

Scope and Delimitation

This study is limited primarily to the uncovering of the parallelism of life Guy De Maupassant particularly his views on social justice system on his time and on his stand The Piece of String.Definition of Terms

Confederate

- a member of a confederacy; an ally. One who assists in a

plot; an accomplice

Delirium

- is a common and severeneuropsychiatricsyndrome with core features of acute onset and fluctuating course, attentional deficits and generalized severe disorganization of behavior.

Incredulity

- doubt or skeptism

Protestation

- declaration of dessent; objection

Husbandman

- a farmer

Indignant

- exhibility or filled with indignationGendarme

- an armed policeman from France, Belgium etc.

Pocketbook

- a financial asset

Francs

- the monetary unit of France, Belgium, Switzerland etc.

Maitre a gentleman from France, Belgium, Switzerland etc.

Chapter III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The method used by the researchers is the Descriptive researchers is the Descriptive which has been defined by Guy (1976) as involving collection of data in order to answer questions concerning the current status of the subject of the study. This is just like a historical research which has no control over what was nor it has no control over what is and it can only measure what already exists.

Among the existing techniques in descriptive research, case study was found to be the most suitable for providing Guy de Maupassants View on Social Justice as reflected on his work The Piece of String.

Case studies is defined as the appropriate design to use when the aim of this study is to have a differ, more thorough and more comprehensive understanding of an individual or group such as the family, class, organization or community. It is also useful when the researcher wishes to know the in details the process which explains the characteristics and behaviour of a person, group or institution under investigation. According to Andales (2008), a case study is an empirical inquiry which investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context especially when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident. In line with this study, assessment on the political views and the social life of Guy de Maupassant has been given a careful consideration including the predominant organization or movement he is into. It is envisioned to assess the meaning and the true meaning of the short story The Piece of String.

Both primary and secondary sources were also used in this study. Primary sources involved original documents and other related materials which are related to the study. While the secondary sources consisting of studies and literatures in book and other resources related to the present problem.

Furthermore, the researchers used variety of methods in order to obtain the data needed. It includes brainstorming, interpreting, analyzing, congregating data through extensive reading. The researchers carefully choose the sources to come up with the most reliable and concrete information.

CHAPTER IIREVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Local Studies

In Constitutional Law, the grant by statue of particular privileges to a class arbitrarily designated from a sizable number of persons, where no reasonable distinction exists between the favored and disfavoured classes. Federal laws, supplemented by court decisions, prohibit discrimination in such areas as employment, housing, VOTING RIGHTS, education, and access to public facilities. They also proscribe discrimination on the basis of race, age, sex, disability, or religion. In addition, state and local laws can prohibit discrimination in these areas in others not covered by federal laws.

Foreign Studies

In the 1960s, in response to the Civil Rights Movement and an increasing awareness of discrimination against minorities, several pieces of landmark legislation were signed into law. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C.A. 2000e et seq.), the most comprehensive Civil Rights legislation in U.S. history, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, nationality, or color. Title VII was designed to provide for parity in the use and enjoyment of public accommodations, facilities, and education as well as in federally assisted programs and employment. It further allows an injured party to bring suit and obtain damages from any individual who illegally infringes upon the partys civil rights. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.A. 1973 et seq.) prohibits the states and their political subdivisions from imposing voting qualifications or prerequisites to voting or standards, practices, or procedures that deny or curtail the right of citizens to vote, because of race, color, or membership in a language minority group. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.A. 3601 et seq.) prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin, in connection with the sale or rental of residential housing. In 1988, Congress passed the Fair Housing Amendments Act, which extends the same protections to handicapped people.

Although discrimination on the basis of gender is included in the title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a number of other federal laws also prohibit Sex Discrimination. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 (29 U.S.C.A. 206) amended the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. It prohibits discrimination through different forms of compensation for jobs with equal skill, effort, and responsibility. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 prohibits discrimination against employees on the basis of pregnancy and childbirth, in employment and benefits. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funds, including exclusions from noncontact team sports on the basis of sex. In addition, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits discrimination in the extension of credit, on the basis of sex or marital status.

State and local news can also protect individuals from discrimination. For example, GAYS AND LESBIANS, although not yet included under federal civil rights laws, are protected in many cities by local ordinances outlawing discrimination against individuals on the basis of sexual orientation. Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wiconsin, and other states have passed such legislationalthough some voters have sought to repeal it, with mixed results.Local antidiscrimination laws have been used to deny funding to groups that bar members because of their sexual orientation. This was the case after the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Boys Scouts of America v. Dale, 530 U.S. 640, 120 S.Ct. 2446, 147 L.ed..2d 554 (2000). The Court held that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), as a private organization, had the constitutional right to bar homosexual troop leaders and members from its ranks. The Boy Scouts hailed this as an important victory, but many corporations and local governments were angered by the decision.

In overall, the discrimination of society was a big part in Hauchecornes death because they did not believe him. Maitre Malandain, Hauchecornes rival, told the authorities that Hauchecorne had picked up a lost wallet. This sory has irony. The irony in this story is that although later on someone else admitted to finding the package Maitre Hauchecomes name was not cleared. The people in the town accused him of hiring someone to take the blame and of being a trickster.CHAPTER V

SUMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary of Findings

In over all depth analysis in our research, The Piece of Sting, by French author Guy de Maupassant, has been introduced by using specific imagery styles to show the reader the importance of such literary usage and its effects. The time period of the story can only be assumed to be in the late 1700s or early 1800s. We know this due to the description of the country being divided among wealthy and powerful figures. The majority, however, were poor peasants, who worked the land with painful rheumatisms. In addition to the time setting, the environment setting is of major importance as well.

Now, one of the main reasons that string is so important is the safety issue. String can save your life, you know. Imagine yourself on a tall cliff and you have this cord of rope holding your life.

Conclusions

Throughout time, the setting of a story has been enhanced by the brilliant usage of images. The image conceived sets forth a brilliant setting of an ancient French inn, and that atmosphere that accompanies. It is a uniformly unique idea that helps give all readers an understanding and reality to the story.

Widening the view of imagery from one sense (visual) to the various senses, gives the reader, and literally analyst, a chance to see how Maupassants imagery and setting are combined. One can look at the story and see how olfactory and gustatory imagery has come to play. Three spits were turning, loaded with chickens, pigeons, and with joint mutton; and a delectable odor of roast meat, and of gravy gushing over crisp brown skin, an epitome of the settings grasp on imagery. The feelings that are aroused allow one to imagine as if they themselves are dining at the bar, eating a hearty meal. If Maupassant had stated a simple quote like the meat was roasted and there was plenty for all there would never have been the same effect as the former

Recommendations

In additional information, prejuducism and social view of Guy de Maupassant were also used to describe the society that affects the life of the main character in the story.

Chapter 4

Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data

This Chapter presents the analysis and interpretation of data which has been gathered by the researchers to determine Guy De Maupassants Views on their Social Life as reflected from his work The Piece of String. Specifically to answer the following sub problems:

1. What is the analysis of the story The Piece of String?

In the time of a grudge, certain actions can bring about circumstances, which are blown out of proportion. Such is the case for the short story "The piece of String"; a grudge between Hauchecome and the harness maker Maladadain was taken to the point of deceit and wrongful accusation. Irony played a significant part in this story, more specifically Situational Irony. Though the author used setting to his advantage, giving the reader a vivid description of the time, and situations that the various characters were in. Also theme played a role in this story, acting off the setting, theme utilized the situations to maximize its effect in conjunction with irony.2. How was the social life of Guy de Maupassant?

Henri-Ren-Albert-Guy de Maupassant was born on August 5, 1850 at the chteau de Miromesnil, nearDieppein theSeine-Infrieure(nowSeine-Maritime) department. He was the first son of Laure Le Poittevin and Gustave de Maupassant, both from prosperous bourgeois families. When Maupassant was eleven and his brother Herv was five, his mother, an independent-minded woman, risked social disgrace to obtain a legal separation from her husband.

After separating from her husband, Le Poittevin kept her two sons, the elder Guy and younger Herv. With the fathers absence, Maupassants mother became the most influential figure in the young boys life. She was a woman of no common literary accomplishments, but was very fond of classic literature, especiallyShakespeare. Until the age of thirteen, Guy happily lived with his mother, to whom he was deeply devoted, attretat, in the Villa des Verguies, where, between the sea and the luxuriant countryside, he grew very fond of fishing and outdoor activities. At age thirteen, he was sent to a small seminary nearRouenfor classical studies.

In October 1868, at the age of 18, he saved the famous poetAlgernon Charles Swinburnefrom drowning off the coast oftretatat Normandy.As he entered junior high school, he met the great authorGustave Flaubert.

He first entered aseminaryatYvetot, but deliberately got himself expelled. From his early education he retained a marked hostility to religion. Then he was sent to theLyce Pierre Corneillein Rouen

TheFranco-Prussian Warbroke out soon after his graduation from college in 1870; he enlisted as a volunteer and fought bravely. Afterwards, in 1871, he left Normandy and moved to Paris where he spent ten years as a clerk in the Navy Department. During these ten tedious years his only recreation and relaxation was canoeing on theSeineon Sundays and holidays.Gustave Flauberttook him under his protection and acted as a kind of literary guardian to him, guiding his debut in journalism and literature. At Flaubert's home he metmile Zolaand the Russian novelistIvan Turgenev, as well as many of the proponents of therealistandnaturalistschools.

In 1878 he was transferred to the Ministry of Public Instruction and became a contributing editor of several leading newspapers such asLe Figaro,Gil Blas,Le Gauloisandl'cho de Paris. He devoted his spare time to writing novels and short stories.

In 1880 he published what is considered his first masterpiece, "Boule de Suif", which met with an instant and tremendous success. Flaubert characterized it as "a masterpiece that will endure." This was Maupassant's first piece of short fiction set during theFranco-Prussian War, and was followed by short stories such as "Deux Amis", "Mother Savage", and "Mademoiselle Fifi".

The decade from 1880 to 1891 was the most fertile period of Maupassant's life. Made famous by his first short story, he worked methodically and produced two or sometimes four volumes annually. He combined talent and practical business sense, which made him wealthy.

In 1881 he published his first volume of short stories under the title ofLa Maison Tellier; it reached its twelfth edition within two years; in 1883 he finished his first novel,Une Vie(translated into English asA Woman's Life), 25,000 copies of which were sold in less than a year. In his novels, he concentrated all his observations scattered in his short stories. His second novelBel-Ami, which came out in 1885, had thirty-seven printings in four months.

His editor, Havard, commissioned him to write new masterpieces and Maupassant continued to produce them without the slightest apparent effort. At this time he wrote what many consider to be his greatest novel,Pierre et Jean. With a natural aversion to society, he loved retirement, solitude, and meditation. He traveled extensively inAlgeria, Italy, England,Brittany,Sicily,Auvergne, and from each voyage brought back a new volume. He cruised on his private yacht "Bel-Ami," named after his earlier novel. This feverish life did not prevent him from making friends among the literary celebrities of his day:Alexandre Dumas, filshad a paternal affection for him; atAix-les-Bainshe metHippolyte Taineand fell under the spell of the philosopher-historian.

Flaubert continued to act as his literary godfather. His friendship with theGoncourtswas of short duration; his frank and practical nature reacted against the ambience of gossip, scandal, duplicity, and invidious criticism that the two brothers had created around them in the guise of an 18th-century style salon. Maupassant was but one of a fair number of 19th-century Parisians who did not care for theEiffel tower; indeed, he often ate lunch in the restaurant at its base, not out of any preference for the food, but because it was only there that he could avoid seeing its otherwise unavoidable profile.Moreover, he and forty-six other Parisian literary and artistic notables attached their names to letter of protest, ornate as it was irate, against the tower's construction to the then Minister of Public Works. Maupasssant also wrote under severalpseudonymssuch as Joseph Prunier, Guy de Valmont, and Maufrigneuse (which he used from 1881 to 1885). In his later years he developed a constant desire for solitude, an obsession for self-preservation, and a fear of death and crazed paranoia of persecution, that came from thesyphilishe had contracted in his early days. On January 2, in 1892, Maupassant tried to commit suicide by cutting his throat and was committed to the celebrated private asylum of Dr. Esprit Blanche atPassy, in Paris, where he died on July 6, 1893. Guy De Maupassant penned his ownepitaph: "I have coveted everything and taken pleasure in nothing." He is buried in Section 26 of theCimetire du Montparnasse, Paris. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_de_maupassant#Criticism,02/17/11)

3. What are the factors that motivate the author to write the Piece of String?

The name of Guy De Maupassant is hard to imagine that the words like ``short story and master wouldn 't spring up . It is also hard to imagine the literature of the 19th century with mentioning his name and his stories . As a matter of fact , many literary historians are considering him one of the best writers of the short story genre , if not the best , that had ever lived . His writing style is known for its high level of adeptness in terms of the economy of words - but still every single word important . He is also a master in the art of breathing life to his characters . A good characterization would mean a good read acharacterization is after one of the most important element in fiction writing . The characters of his stories could only be described asunforgettable , as if they are all living people with all their imperfections and too much perfections .

Guy De Maupassant is also known for landing the endings of his story like a perfectionist airplane pilot , though many claim that he does this effortlessly . His stories leave imprints of valuable realizations to the readers . The stories of Guy De Maupassant are mostly about people and the kind ofsociety that are prevalent in 19th century France. Since the stories ofGuy De Maupassant are about real people within a real society , those stories are offering the readers generalized truths about the behavior of people and the human living conditions . One of the generalized truths about people and the society is the issue of social classes , which appear to be the one of the favorites of Guy De Maupassant to incorporate in his stories as a theme . It is observable that Guy DeMaupassants narrative technique ha much to do with comparing and contrasting , within the narrative , his characters so that they would reveal the personalities of other characters that they interact with . Contrasting as a narrative technique proves to be effective since one ofGuy De Maupassants favorite themes is social classes, certain extremesof human behavior are unearthed Afrom his stories , like how would a wealthy and respectable person and a commoner would interact within a society . That narrative technique proves to be effective in painting avivid picture of the kind society that 19th-century France have. (http://www.mightystudents.com/essay/Narrative.technique.social.801922/17/11)