The Piece of StringGuy de Maupassant

Vocab• surmounted- to get on top of, prevail p. 1• clamorous- vigorous in demands or complaints; loud outcry p. 1• yokel- rustic, country bumpkin p. 1• char-a-banc- wagon p. 1• nag- an old horse p.1• malice- desire to inflict injury, harm or suffering on another

person p. 1• rheumatism- disorder in back of arms/legs characterized by

pain/ stiffness. p. 1• Angelus- a series of prayers recited in morning, midday and

evening p. 2• denouncement- the outcome of a problem p. 4• rogue- a dishonest or unprincipled man p. 4

Reading

• We will read the first paragraph of “The Piece of String” to understand the setting and ideas in the story.

Themes

1. You can never be considered innocent by the public once accused of a crime.

2. Worrying about what others think about you will create your ruin.

3. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

The Piece of String Themes

1. You can never be considered innocent by the public once accused of a crime.

2. Worrying about what others think about you will create your ruin.

3. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.Tie your piece of string to the rope that you feel is the more prominent theme in this story.

Homework Help• Allusion- figure of speech that makes a reference to a place,

person, or something that happened. Can be real/imaginary and may refer to anything, including paintings, opera, folk lore, mythical figures, or religious manuscripts. The reference can be direct or may be inferred.

• Motif- a recurring subject, theme, ideaExample: motif of a ‘handsome prince’ falling in love with a ‘damsel in distress’ and the two being bothered by a wicked step-mother/ evil witch/ beast and finally conquering all and living ‘happily ever after’ is a common motif.

Theme 1

You can never be considered innocent by

the public once accused of a crime.

Theme 2

Worrying about what others think about you will create your ruin.