By smartcubs Madame Oreille is the main character in Guy de Maupassant’s short story “The Umbrella.” She is a quintessential example of the parsimonious and meticulous housewife, whose actions and decisions revolve around her frugality and desire to maintain household order. Her character provides a satirical glimpse into the extremes of thriftiness and the consequences of such behavior.
Physical Appearance
Madame Oreille’s physical description aligns with her personality traits:
- Age: Middle-aged.
- Build: Petite and somewhat frail-looking, reflecting her delicate approach to household management.
- Clothing: Dresses modestly and conservatively, indicating her practical and frugal nature.
- Features: Sharp, observant eyes and a tight-lipped expression, suggestive of her strict and meticulous demeanor.
Personality Traits
Madame Oreille’s personality is dominated by several key traits:
- Frugality: Her most defining characteristic is her extreme frugality. She goes to great lengths to save money and avoid unnecessary expenses.
- Meticulousness: She is highly meticulous and precise in managing her household, paying attention to even the smallest details.
- Stubbornness: Madame Oreille is stubborn and resistant to change, firmly adhering to her ways despite any inconvenience or advice to the contrary.
- Suspicion: She is often suspicious of others, particularly when it comes to money and expenses, fearing that she might be overcharged or cheated.
- Anxiety: Her concern for saving money often leads to anxiety, especially when faced with unexpected expenses or damage to her belongings.
Relationships
Madame Oreille’s relationships are influenced by her frugal nature:
- Monsieur Oreille: Her husband, who is more easygoing and often bemused by her extreme thriftiness. Their relationship is characterized by a dynamic where she dominates the household decisions, especially financial ones.
- Tradespeople: She has a contentious relationship with tradespeople and service providers, always wary of being overcharged and insisting on meticulous accounts and receipts.
Values and Beliefs
Madame Oreille’s values and beliefs revolve around her need for control and financial security:
- Economic Prudence: She believes in the utmost prudence when it comes to finances, prioritizing savings and minimal expenses above all else.
- Self-reliance: Madame Oreille values self-reliance, often preferring to manage things herself rather than relying on others, whom she does not trust.
- Preservation: She places great importance on the preservation of her possessions, taking extreme care to avoid damage or wear.
Key Experiences
Madame Oreille’s experiences in “The Umbrella” highlight her character traits:
- The Umbrella Incident: Her reaction to her husband’s request to replace a damaged umbrella showcases her extreme thriftiness. She initially refuses to buy a new one and attempts to have the old one repaired multiple times, only to be forced to buy a new one in the end.
- Confrontation with the Repairman: Her interactions with the umbrella repairman reveal her suspicion and unwillingness to spend money, leading to comical yet telling exchanges about her character.
Summary of Key Traits
- Extremely frugal
- Meticulous and precise
- Stubborn and resistant to change
- Suspicious and anxious about finances
Madame Oreille is a vivid portrayal of a person consumed by frugality. Her character, while exaggerated for satirical effect, offers a humorous yet insightful look into the pitfalls of extreme thriftiness and the impact it can have on one’s relationships and quality of life. Through her actions and decisions, Maupassant effectively critiques the obsessive pursuit of economic prudence at the expense of practicality and well-being.