Guy De Maupassant The Necklace Characters
Introduction
Guy De Maupassant is a renowned French author who is known for his captivating short stories. One of his most famous works is The Necklace, which was first published in 1884. The story is set in Paris in the 19th century and revolves around the life of a young woman named Mathilde Loisel. This article will explore the characters in The Necklace and their significance in the story.
Mathilde Loisel
Mathilde Loisel is the protagonist of the story. She is a beautiful and charming young woman who is married to a clerk. Mathilde is dissatisfied with her life and dreams of a luxurious lifestyle. She is envious of her wealthy friends and desires to be like them. Mathilde's desire for material possessions leads her to borrow a necklace from her friend Madame Forestier, which eventually leads to her downfall.
Madame Forestier
Madame Forestier is Mathilde's wealthy friend who lends her the diamond necklace. She is a kind and generous woman who sympathizes with Mathilde's desire for a luxurious lifestyle. Madame Forestier plays a significant role in the story, as it is her necklace that causes Mathilde's downfall.
Mr. Loisel
Mr. Loisel is Mathilde's husband. He is a simple and hardworking man who loves his wife dearly. Despite his modest salary, he goes out of his way to make Mathilde happy by giving her the money he had saved to buy himself a hunting rifle to buy her a dress. Mr. Loisel is a selfless character who sacrifices his own happiness for Mathilde's.
The Necklace
The necklace is the central object in the story. It is a beautiful diamond necklace that Mathilde borrows from Madame Forestier to wear to a party. The necklace is symbolic of the materialistic desires that lead to Mathilde's downfall. Mathilde's desire for material possessions and her need to impress her wealthy friends is what makes her borrow the necklace in the first place.
The Jeweler
The jeweler is the man who Mathilde and her husband go to after losing the necklace. He is a shrewd businessman who takes advantage of their desperation and sells them a replacement necklace at an exorbitant price. The jeweler's greed is symbolic of the corrupt society in which the characters live.
Conclusion
The Necklace is a captivating story that explores the themes of materialism, greed, and envy. The characters in the story represent different aspects of society, and their actions have far-reaching consequences. Mathilde's desire for material possessions and her need to impress her wealthy friends leads to her downfall. The story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of materialism and the importance of being content with what one has.
