Summary Of The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant
The Storyline
The Necklace is a short story written by French writer Guy De Maupassant in 1884. The story is about a young and beautiful woman named Mathilde Loisel who is unhappy with her middle-class life and dreams of living a luxurious life. Mathilde is married to a clerk, Monsieur Loisel, who is content with their life but Mathilde is not. Mathilde is invited to a fancy party and borrows a necklace from her wealthy friend to wear to the party. However, after the party, Mathilde loses the necklace and spends the next ten years of her life trying to repay the debt she incurred due to the lost necklace.
The Characters
The protagonist of the story is Mathilde Loisel, who is beautiful, charming, and unhappy with her middle-class life. Her husband, Monsieur Loisel, is a clerk who is content with their life but wants to make his wife happy. Madame Forestier is Mathilde's wealthy friend who lends her the necklace for the party. Madame Forestier's husband is wealthy and successful and Mathilde is envious of her friend's life.
The Theme
The Necklace is a story about the dangers of materialism and the importance of honesty. Mathilde is consumed with the desire for wealth and luxury and this desire leads to her downfall. She is dishonest about the loss of the necklace and spends the next ten years of her life trying to repay the debt she incurred. The story also highlights the theme of appearance versus reality. Mathilde appears to be beautiful and charming but is unhappy with her life. Madame Forestier appears to live a luxurious life but is not as happy as Mathilde thinks she is.
The Writing Style
Guy De Maupassant is known for his simple and direct writing style. His writing is often focused on the lives of ordinary people and their struggles. The Necklace is a perfect example of his writing style as it is a simple and straightforward story about the life of a middle-class woman. The story is well-crafted and the characters are well-developed.
The Impact
The Necklace is one of Guy De Maupassant's most famous short stories and is considered a classic of French literature. The story has been adapted into numerous films, plays, and operas. The story's enduring popularity can be attributed to its universal themes of materialism, appearance versus reality, and honesty. The Necklace is a cautionary tale that still resonates with readers today.
The Conclusion
The Necklace by Guy De Maupassant is a timeless classic that explores the dangers of materialism and the importance of honesty. The story's themes are still relevant today and its impact can be seen in the numerous adaptations of the story. Guy De Maupassant's simple and direct writing style makes the story accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds. The Necklace is a must-read for anyone interested in French literature or classic short stories.
