So from what I understand about this story, it seems like it is about peasant life. However, the author is not discussing any ordinary peasant life. Instead, he denounces the customary perception that peasant life is wretched and difficult, and describes it as jovial and praise-worthy even. In fact, the name Toine (short for Antoine) is a French name meaning “highly praised” or “praise-worthy”. By doing this, the author is rejecting the notion of social status. He creates a character that is well liked, well received, and comical.
Toine’s zest for life and relationships with the town’s people contrast that of his wife’s. The author is defying social norms by making a peasant the talk of the town and, more surprisingly, a well-respected member of the community (even the mayor knows him). Even when paralyzed, Toine remains jovial – not losing his spirit and maintaining to be the person that he is. The author is effective in making him to be a larger than life character (no pun intended), at one point saying that “he could even make a tombstone laugh” – all things considered, even “Death” treated Toine differently. Ironically, his bad health and paralyzed state was what allowed him to bear life to the chicks that hatched under his arms. It is almost as if the author wants to emphasize that, regardless of social norms or social status, we should not let labels and/or status define the people we are. Instead, we should choose to be the people we want to be; do not let yourself be a slave and succumb to the perceptions of what you ought to be.
Also, the author may be suggesting the idea of equality in society and caring for one another. Toine’s personality and vigour to engage all those he comes across display his adoration for his fellow man. In fact, there is a sense of community amongst everyone in town to visit Toine, see how he is doing, and check on the status of the eggs. It is as if there is no social divide between the people of the town. Not only that, he is even connected with nature, as displayed by his anxieties over how the Hen (who is also attempting to hatch eggs) is doing. This conveys a holistic nature to his personality that the author is suggesting is a quality that should be admired.
Peasant life is often times portrayed negatively, as depicted by Toine’s wife, but it is the way in which we choose to view our life that determines its outcome. Although Toine’s corpulence and excessive gaiety is not typical of a peasant, it highlights that we should not give others the power to determine our identity. The author redefines the meaning of peasant life by depicting a town where there is no hierarchy. This story is remarkable because it shows how the perpetual joy of one peasant brings all walks of life together. This is further illustrated at the end where Toine is delighted by the simple fact of being able to see his friends more often. It is not more chickens that Prosper (Toine’s cunning friend) was concerned about when suggesting to the wife that she could hatch more eggs under Toine’s arms; he simply needed an excuse to spend more time with Toine. By valuing such simplicities, the author shows his disagreement with the wife’s pessimistic attitude toward peasant life. Toine’s love for life and people underlines that happiness is not only found in the exceptional, but also in the commonplace.
I have a different reading about what you call “social equality”. For me, Toine is the best of example of social difference. Because, he is the one who doesn`t work and only eat what is given by his “friends” (or customers). So, more than equality, I see a model of dependence. On the oher hand, is his wife who participate in a kind of “social equality” because she is the one thats works in order to get money and food. She can`t do what Toine does, actually, no one can.
It is interesting that you see the story as social difference but I would have to disagree. I wouldn’t necessarily say he doesn’t work since it is his jovial character and personality that attracts all the customers in the town. Yes it is true that he only eats, but his presence allows for everyone to come together and creates an environment where social status is not important. Interestingly, his wife doesn’t really do anything to generate revenue. It always seems as if she is working but really, her excessive work is useless. This I believe was Maupassant’s way of denouncing the perception that peasant life has to be difficult and disagreeable. I do agree that no one can do what Toine does, but this is because he is able to attract all different kinds of people together and in a way, make peasant life a little easier. If it wasn’t for him, his wife would not be able to make more chickens, attract people and make money.
It is interesting that you see the story as a way of showing social difference but I would have to disagree. I wouldn’t necessarily say that Toine doesn’t work since it is his jovial character and personality that attracts all the customers in the town. Yes it is true that he only eats, but his presence allows for everyone to come together and creates an environment where social status is not important. Interestingly, his wife doesn’t really do anything to generate revenue. It always seems as if she is working but really, her excessive work is useless. This I believe was Maupassant’s way of denouncing the perception that peasant life has to be difficult and disagreeable. I do agree that no one can do what Toine does, but this is because he is able to attract all different kinds of people together and in a way, make peasant life a little easier. If it wasn’t for him, his wife would not be able to make more chickens, attract people and make money.