Literary Analysis Of The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant
The Necklace is a short story written by French writer Guy De Maupassant. First published in 1884, the story has since become a classic and is considered one of the author's best works. The story is set in Paris in the late 19th century and follows the life of a young woman named Mathilde Loisel. Mathilde is unhappy with her life and longs for a better one. Her desire for wealth and status leads her down a path of deceit and ultimately, tragedy.
Plot Summary
The story begins with Mathilde Loisel, a young woman who is unhappy with her life. She is married to a clerk and dreams of a life of luxury and riches. One day, Mathilde's husband comes home with an invitation to a ball being held by the Minister of Education. Mathilde is thrilled at the thought of attending the ball but is distraught when she realizes she has nothing to wear.
Mathilde's husband suggests that she borrow some jewelry from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier. Mathilde borrows a stunning necklace from Madame Forestier and is the belle of the ball. She dances all night and is the center of attention, living the life she has always dreamed of.
However, on returning home, Mathilde realizes that she has lost the necklace. She and her husband search frantically for the necklace but cannot find it. In order to replace the necklace, they take out a loan and spend the next ten years paying it back.
It is only after the loan has been paid off that Mathilde runs into Madame Forestier and tells her the story of the lost necklace. Madame Forestier is shocked and tells Mathilde that the necklace was actually a fake, worth only a few francs.
Themes
The Necklace explores a number of themes, including the dangers of materialism and the futility of social climbing. Mathilde's desire for wealth and status leads her down a path of deceit and ultimately, tragedy. The story highlights the fact that true happiness cannot be found in material possessions and that one should be content with what they have.
The story also explores the theme of appearance versus reality. Mathilde's appearance at the ball is one of beauty and grace, but in reality, she is not wealthy and does not belong in the upper class. The necklace itself is also an example of appearance versus reality, as it appears to be a stunning piece of jewelry, but in reality, it is fake and worth very little.
Character Analysis
The main character in The Necklace is Mathilde Loisel. Mathilde is a young woman who is unhappy with her life and dreams of a better one. She is envious of those who are wealthy and believes that she deserves to be among them. Mathilde is also very vain and cares deeply about her appearance, which is why she is so devastated when she realizes she has lost the necklace.
Mathilde's husband is also an important character in the story. He is a clerk who is content with his life but loves his wife and wants to make her happy. He is willing to do whatever it takes to help Mathilde attend the ball, even if it means taking out a loan.
Symbolism
The necklace itself is a symbol in the story. It represents the dangers of materialism and the futility of social climbing. Mathilde believes that the necklace will help her fit in with the upper class and make her happy, but in reality, it leads to her downfall. The necklace is also a symbol of appearance versus reality, as it appears to be valuable and beautiful, but in reality, it is fake and worthless.
The ball is also a symbol in the story. It represents the life that Mathilde dreams of, a life of luxury and status. However, the ball is only a temporary escape from reality, and Mathilde's inability to accept her true place in society leads to her downfall.
Conclusion
The Necklace is a powerful story that explores the dangers of materialism and the futility of social climbing. Mathilde's desire for wealth and status leads her down a path of deceit and ultimately, tragedy. The story is a cautionary tale about the importance of being content with what you have and the dangers of wanting more.
Maupassant's writing is simple yet powerful, and the story is a classic example of French literature. It is a timeless tale that continues to resonate with readers today.