The following story by Anon was located in France and written in the late 1800’s. During that time, the literary movement of Naturalism was in vogue. This movement came about primarily as a result of Darwin’s publication Origen of the Species (1859) and other publications relating to Natural Selection and evolution. The movement caused many writers and artists to depict humans as victims of their heredity and environment rather than individuals with God and free will on their side. During this time characters were more subject to “Fate” –an uncontrollable force of circumstances into which they were thrown. As a result, we must ask how much the character we are studying has to deal with Fate or how much he/she can practice free will. In other words, how much is he/she actually “free” to develop and mature as an individual?
When you write, please refer to the main character as he, not they.
Make notes about the major points as you read, and think about some of the main messages/themes. Then read the story again. Keep in mind the location and time period of the story. For example, M. Haut cannot escape with a car or even on a bike. He has no resources and he lives during a time when there were distinct social classes (low and high, with little middle class) along with all the prejudices relating to birth and status. Reputation was all-important and survival depended on bartering, and a good relationship with the community.
DO NOT LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR ANYONE ELSE’S VIEWS OR INTERPRETATIONS.
Now write the following essay.
Give a short introduction, with a brief description of the where, when, what and how of the story (just a few lines). Then end with a thesis that claims, Either:
A) Haut, a humble peasant, was a victim of prejudice and circumstances beyond his control. There was nothing he could do to save his reputation or resume his life as a respected member of the community. He was fated for failure and death.
Your first paragraph after the introduction will give a summary of the story
Then, paragraph by paragraph, you will develop your thesis. Think of all the reasons for M. Haut’s struggle, and divide each ‘reason’ into a separate paragraph, making sure you use short quotes from the story inside your own sentences. YOU WILL HAVE MANY SHORT QUOTES FROM THE STORY. Please do not give ‘floating quotes.’ Lace them into your sentences naturally so the whole sentence makes sense. There is no need to cite each quote since you are only discussing one story. Remember, a sensitive and accurate interpretation comes from a close study of the words in the story, not from dreaming up theories separate from the stories, or outside in the present world. Avoid using psychological labels that relate to later times, like ‘paranoid,’ or manic depressive, etc. This story takes place before Freud. And remember, just STAY IN THE WORLD OF THE STORY.
