Analysis Of The Necklace Guy De Maupassant
The Necklace is a famous short story written by Guy de Maupassant. The story is set in Paris, France, and tells the tale of a woman named Mathilde Loisel, who borrows a diamond necklace from her wealthy friend Madame Forestier to wear to a ball. However, Mathilde loses the necklace and spends the next ten years of her life working to replace it. This article will delve into the analysis of the story and its themes, characters, and symbols.
Themes
The Necklace is a story that explores the themes of pride, greed, and social class. Mathilde Loisel is a woman who is unhappy with her life and believes that she deserves more than what she has. She longs to be part of the wealthy upper class and is ashamed of her middle-class status. When she loses the necklace, she is consumed by her desire to replace it and keep up appearances. This desire drives her to borrow money and work tirelessly for years, only to find out that the necklace was a fake.
Characters
The main character of The Necklace is Mathilde Loisel, a discontented woman who longs for a life of luxury and wealth. She is married to a clerk but dreams of being part of the upper-class society. Madame Forestier, Mathilde's wealthy friend, is the owner of the diamond necklace that Mathilde borrows and loses. She is a symbol of the wealth and status that Mathilde desires. Monsieur Loisel, Mathilde's husband, is content with his lot in life and does not share Mathilde's desire for luxury and wealth.
Symbols
The diamond necklace is the main symbol in the story. It represents the wealth and status that Mathilde desires. When she loses the necklace, it becomes a symbol of her downfall and the consequences of her actions. The necklace also represents the idea of appearances and how they can be deceiving. Madame Forestier's fake necklace looks just as real as the real one, but it has very different consequences for Mathilde.
Conclusion
The Necklace is a classic short story that explores the themes of pride, greed, and social class. The characters in the story are well-developed and represent different aspects of society. The symbols in the story, such as the diamond necklace, represent the ideas of wealth, status, and appearances. Overall, The Necklace is a cautionary tale about the dangers of wanting more than what one has and the consequences of one's actions.
