Student Question
What is one stereotype about Normans in Maupassant's "The Piece of String"?
Quick answer:
In "The Piece of String," one stereotype about Normans is their reputation for being "economical" or tight-fisted. This stereotype is illustrated by Maitre Hauchecorne picking up a piece of string, despite his rheumatism, because he believes in not wasting anything that might be useful. Another stereotype is their "craftiness," which makes it difficult for Hauchecorne to prove his innocence when accused of theft, as Normans are perceived as cunning.
There are a couple of Norman stereotypes in de Maupassant's "The Piece of String." The first is the reference to the alleged tendency of Norman folk to be "economical." This is a rather polite way of saying that they have a reputation for being a bit tight-fisted. It is this stereotype that is used to explain why Maitre Hauchecorne bends down to pick up a little piece of string from the ground despite the fact that the old man has a touch of rheumatism.
As with any self-respecting Norman, Maitre Hauchecorne doesn't believe in throwing anything away if it can be put to good use. He doesn't yet know how he's going to use the piece of string, but he's sure that he'll eventually think of something.
An additional stereotype later on in the story concerns the supposed "craftiness" of Normans. Although Maitre Hauchecorne is entirely innocent of the charge of theft, he finds it impossible to make anyone believe him because of his well-deserved reputation for craftiness, a character trait, which, according to Maupassant at any rate, is widely shared among the good folk of Normandy.
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