Defending A Maupassant Character: A Deep Dive Into 'La Parure' & 'Aux Champs'

Hey guys! So, we're diving back into the world of Guy de Maupassant, and this time, we're not just reading his amazing stories, but we're also stepping into the shoes of a defense attorney. Our mission? To defend a character from either 'La Parure' (The Necklace) or 'Aux Champs' (The Piece of String). This is a fun challenge, and it really makes us think about the characters' motivations and the social contexts that shape their actions. I'm going to break down how to approach this assignment, focusing on the key characters and what arguments you can use to defend them. Let's get started!

Choosing Your Character and Understanding the Assignment

First things first: you've got to pick your character! This is the most important decision because it dictates the rest of your essay. You're limited to characters from 'La Parure' or 'Aux Champs'. That gives you a nice selection to choose from, each with their own unique flaws and redeeming qualities. Here are some of the popular choices, and some initial thoughts on defending them:

• Madame Loisel: The protagonist of 'La Parure'. She's known for her vanity and desire for a life of luxury. Can we defend her? Absolutely! We can argue that her aspirations were a product of her environment and that her ultimate penance demonstrates genuine remorse.
• Monsieur Loisel: Mathilde's husband. He's often seen as the long-suffering spouse who makes sacrifices for his wife. Defending him could focus on his kindness, his dedication to Mathilde, and his ultimate resilience in the face of financial hardship.
• Madame Forestier: The friend who lends Mathilde the necklace. Some might see her as aloof or careless. Your defense could focus on her innocence in the situation and the fact that she was unaware of the gravity of the situation.
• Charlot, les Tuvache, and les Vallin: Characters from 'Aux Champs'. Depending on your perspective, you might find reasons to defend Charlot's actions, or perhaps to criticize the harsh judgment of the villagers in the face of Charlot's accusations.

Remember, your job isn't to say a character is perfect, but rather to explain why they acted the way they did, and to argue that their actions, even if flawed, can be understood, or at least, that they are not entirely reprehensible, given the circumstances.

Crafting Your Defense: Key Strategies and Arguments

Alright, so you've chosen your character. Now, it's time to build your defense. You've got approximately 200-300 words to make your case, so you've got to be concise and persuasive. Here's a breakdown of how to approach this:

1. Understand the Character's Motivation: Dig deep! Why did they do what they did? What were their desires, fears, and values? Was it a misunderstanding? A misjudgment? Or perhaps, as is often the case with Maupassant, a result of societal pressures? Your defense will be most effective if you can pinpoint the core motivation. For example, if you're defending Madame Loisel, you might argue that her desire for a better life was a reflection of the social expectations of her time, and a symptom of a society that valued appearances over genuine worth. This desire, when unchecked, becomes a desire for luxury and status. However, is this desire more a product of society and social norms? This would be key to establishing your case.
2. Highlight Contextual Factors: Maupassant's stories are deeply rooted in their historical context. Consider the social norms, economic conditions, and cultural values of the time. How did these factors influence your character's actions? For instance, the pressure to maintain appearances in 19th-century France was immense. This pressure, especially for women in a patriarchal society, could have influenced Madame Loisel's decision-making. Your argument is stronger when you take account of the pressure exerted by social convention.
3. Acknowledge Flaws, Then Offer Excuses: Don't try to make your character perfect! The best defenses acknowledge the character's flaws upfront. “Yes, Madame Loisel was vain, but…” This shows you're not trying to whitewash the character's actions. Instead, use these flaws to humanize the character. Explain why they are that way. Next, offer mitigating circumstances. Perhaps the character was under immense pressure, or perhaps they acted out of desperation or fear. For example, if defending Charlot from 'Aux Champs', the pressures of poverty and societal judgment could be factors to consider.
4. Find the Silver Lining: Even if a character makes poor choices, there's often a kernel of something positive to be found. Did they learn a lesson? Did they show resilience? Did they ultimately try to make amends? If you're defending Monsieur Loisel, you can highlight his selfless actions and commitment to helping his wife, even when he could have rightfully blamed her.
5. Use Evidence from the Text: This is crucial! Your defense needs to be grounded in the text. Cite specific examples of the character's actions, thoughts, and words. Quoting directly from the story will lend credibility to your argument. Don't be shy about supporting your claims with textual evidence; it will give your essay more substance.

Structuring Your Defense Essay

Okay, so you've got your character and you've got your arguments. Now, how do you put it all together? Here's a basic structure you can follow:

• Introduction: Introduce the character you're defending and briefly state your main argument (your thesis). For example: “Madame Loisel's actions, while undeniably flawed, were driven by a desire for a life she felt she deserved, and her subsequent suffering and ultimate honesty demonstrate her capacity for growth and redemption.”
• Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on a specific argument. State your point, provide evidence from the text to support it, and then explain how this evidence supports your overall defense. Think of it as a mini-essay within your essay.
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points and reiterate your thesis. Briefly reflect on the character's actions and their ultimate significance. You could end with a thought-provoking idea, leaving the reader with something to consider. For example: “Ultimately, Madame Loisel’s story is a cautionary tale, but it’s also a testament to the enduring power of human resilience and the often-unforeseen consequences of our desires.”

Example Defense Snippet: Defending Madame Loisel

Let’s say you're defending Madame Loisel. Here’s a short snippet of how a body paragraph might look:

“One of the most defining aspects of Madame Loisel’s character is her unwavering desire for a life of luxury and social status. This desire, however, is not simply a product of her own vanity, but rather a reflection of the societal pressures of 19th-century France. As Maupassant writes, ‘She suffered constantly, feeling herself born for every delicacy and luxury.’ (Insert quote). This quote reveals that it was not just greed but a deep sense of dissatisfaction with her current life that caused her to act as she did. Furthermore, Madame Loisel was, as a woman of that era, confined to domesticity, where her options for self-expression and advancement were severely limited. Therefore, her desire for adornment and status can be viewed as an attempt to find value in a society that gave her little.”

See how this paragraph follows the key strategies? We've acknowledged the flaw, linked it to societal context, provided textual evidence, and offered an alternative perspective. Following this approach, you can create a compelling defense for any character from the chosen stories.

Tips for Success

• Read the Stories Carefully: Before you start writing, make sure you know the stories inside and out. Pay attention to the details, the character's interactions, and the overall themes.
• Brainstorm: Before you start writing, make notes. This is where you can write about your character. What makes them good? What makes them bad?
• Get Feedback: Ask a friend or classmate to read your essay and give you feedback. A fresh perspective can help you identify areas for improvement.
• Have Fun: This assignment is designed to be engaging. Enjoy the process of exploring the characters and formulating your defense.

So there you have it, guys! Get ready to put on your lawyer hats and defend your chosen characters. This is a chance to really delve into these stories and develop your critical thinking skills. Good luck, and have fun defending those Maupassant characters!