Bécassine

Bécassine is a fictional character, a wide-eyed, eternally optimistic Breton peasant girl, who became a popular and enduring icon in French popular culture, primarily through comics. Created in 1905 by Jacqueline Rivière and Joseph Pinchon for the French weekly magazine La Semaine de Suzette, Bécassine is often depicted as a naive and clumsy domestic servant who embarks on various adventures.

While initially presented as a caricature of Breton rural life, and sometimes criticized for perpetuating stereotypes, Bécassine evolved over time into a more sympathetic and even feminist figure. Later stories gave her agency and demonstrated her intelligence and resourcefulness, moving beyond the initial portrayal of simple-mindedness.

Bécassine's image is distinctive: she is typically illustrated wearing a traditional Breton costume, including a green dress, an apron, and a large bonnet that covers her hair. Her large, round eyes and perpetually surprised expression contribute to her innocent and somewhat childlike demeanor.

Beyond comics, Bécassine has been adapted into animated series, films, and other media, ensuring her continued recognition and relevance in France. Her longevity and widespread appeal speak to her enduring place in French popular imagination, despite the controversies surrounding her earlier representations. She represents a complex figure whose depiction evolved, reflecting changing societal attitudes towards regional identity and female characters.