Laurent e

Laurente, Marriel A.
BSED ENG 2A
E61
“The Necklace”
Guy de Maupassant
Summary:
Mathilde is a pretty woman, but she feels stuck in a boring life. Her husband is a clerk,
and they don't have much money. Mathilde longs for a life of luxury, with fancy clothes and
beautiful jewelry. One day, Mathilde's husband gets an invitation to a fancy party. Mathilde is
excited, but then she realizes she has nothing to wear. She doesn't have any fancy jewelry either.
Mathilde is so upset that she cries. Her husband feels bad for her, so he suggests that she borrow
jewelry from her friend, Madame Forestier. Madame Forestier is rich and has lots of jewelry.
Mathilde borrows a beautiful diamond necklace from Madame Forestier. She feels amazing at
the party. Everyone admires her, and she feels like she finally belongs in the upper class. But on
the way home from the party, Mathilde loses the necklace! She is terrified. She knows that
Madame Forestier will be angry, and she might even have to pay for the necklace. Mathilde and
her husband decide to buy a new necklace to replace the one they lost. They have to borrow a lot
of money, and they have to work hard to pay it back. For the next ten years, Mathilde and her
husband live a life of poverty. They work long hours and they barely have enough to eat.
Mathilde is miserable. She regrets losing the necklace and she hates her life. Finally, Mathilde
can't bear to keep the secret any longer. She tells Madame Forestier the truth about the lost
necklace. Madame Forestier is surprised, but she is not angry. She tells Mathilde that the
necklace was not real diamonds. It was just a fake. Mathilde is shocked. All the suffering she and
her husband went through was for nothing. They could have had a much easier life if they had
just told the truth. "The Necklace" is a story about the dangers of chasing after dreams that are
not real. Mathilde wanted a life of luxury, but she ended up losing everything. The story teaches
us that it is important to be happy with what we have and not to compare ourselves to others.
Analysis:
"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant is a short story that delves into the theme of social status,
the consequences of vanity, and the irony of fate. The narrative revolves around Mathilde Loisel,
a discontented middle-class woman who yearns for a higher social standing. When she borrows a
beautiful necklace from a friend to wear to a prestigious event, it seems like a solution to her
desire for elegance and admiration.
The story takes a dramatic turn when Mathilde loses the necklace. Instead of confessing to her
friend and facing the consequences, she and her husband decide to replace it. The Loisels sink
into poverty as they purchase a new necklace on credit and work tirelessly to repay the debt. The
climax occurs when, after years of sacrifice, Mathilde accidentally encounters her friend and
confesses the truth about the lost necklace. Surprisingly, her friend reveals that the original
necklace was fake, shattering Mathilde's illusions and emphasizing the tragic irony of her pursuit
of status.
The characterization of Mathilde is crucial to the narrative. She is depicted as a complex

character, dissatisfied with her humble life and constantly yearning for something more. Her
obsession with materialistic desires leads to her downfall, creating a sense of empathy and
cautionary reflection for readers.
Maupassant skillfully employs irony in the story. The necklace, initially perceived as a symbol of
wealth and status, becomes the catalyst for Mathilde's descent into poverty. The revelation that
the necklace was fake adds a layer of situational irony, highlighting the futility of Mathilde's
pursuit of social standing.
Moreover, the story addresses the theme of the deceptive nature of appearances. The necklace
itself is a counterfeit, emphasizing the emptiness of external symbols of success. Maupassant
uses this as a commentary on societal expectations and the consequences of prioritizing
superficial values.
In conclusion, "The Necklace" is a compelling exploration of social class, the consequences of

vanity, and the ironic twists of fate. Through vivid characterization, irony, and a thought-
provoking plot, Guy de Maupassant delivers a timeless narrative that prompts readers to reflect
on the true meaning of happiness and the consequences of misplaced desires.

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Laurent e

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Laurente, Marriel A.

The characterization of Mathilde is crucial to the narrative. She is depicted as a complex

In conclusion, "The Necklace" is a compelling exploration of social class, the consequences of

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