The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Pdf
Introduction
"The Necklace" is a short story written by French author Guy De Maupassant. It was first published in the French newspaper "Le Gaulois" in 1884. The story is about a woman named Mathilde Loisel who is not satisfied with her life and dreams of a luxurious lifestyle. One day, she borrows a diamond necklace from a friend to wear to a fancy party, but loses it. Mathilde and her husband spend the next ten years working to pay off the debt they incurred to replace the necklace.
Summary
The story takes place in Paris in the late 19th century. Mathilde Loisel is a beautiful woman who is married to a clerk in the Ministry of Education. Despite her husband's modest income, Mathilde dreams of a luxurious lifestyle and is constantly dissatisfied with her life. One day, she is invited to attend a fancy party hosted by the Minister of Education. Mathilde is unhappy because she does not have any jewelry to wear to the party. Her husband suggests that she borrow something from her friend Madame Forestier. Mathilde borrows a diamond necklace from Madame Forestier and wears it to the party. She is the most beautiful woman at the party and everyone admires her. However, on her way home, she realizes that she has lost the necklace. Mathilde and her husband search everywhere for the necklace, but cannot find it. They decide to replace it by purchasing a new one, but it takes them ten years to pay off the debt.
Analysis
"The Necklace" is a critique of French society in the late 19th century, which was characterized by social inequality and class conflict. Mathilde Loisel is a symbol of the middle-class aspiration to reach the upper-class lifestyle. Her desire for material possessions leads her to borrow the necklace from Madame Forestier, which ultimately leads to her downfall. The story also highlights the theme of appearance versus reality. Mathilde appears to be a beautiful and wealthy woman at the party, but in reality, she is just borrowing jewelry and living a life of debt.
Significance
"The Necklace" is one of Guy De Maupassant's most famous works and is considered a masterpiece of short fiction. The story is a reflection of the author's own life experiences and his observations of French society. It has been translated into many languages and is studied in schools and universities around the world. "The Necklace" is a timeless story that continues to resonate with readers today.
Conclusion
"The Necklace" is a powerful story that explores themes of social inequality, appearance versus reality, and the dangers of materialism. Guy De Maupassant's writing style is simple yet effective, and his characters are complex and relatable. The story has stood the test of time and continues to be read and studied today. It is a must-read for anyone interested in French literature or short fiction.
