The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Characters
Introduction
"The Necklace" is one of the most popular short stories written by Guy de Maupassant. The story was first published in the French newspaper Le Gaulois on February 17, 1884. It has since become one of the most widely read and analyzed short stories in the world. The story is a masterpiece of irony, depicting the life of a young woman named Mathilde Loisel, her husband Monsieur Loisel, and her friend Madame Forestier. In this article, we will explore the characters of the story in depth.
Mathilde Loisel
Mathilde Loisel is the main character of "The Necklace." She is a beautiful and charming young woman who dreams of a life of luxury and wealth. She is married to a clerk, Monsieur Loisel, who is content with their simple life. Mathilde, however, is not satisfied with her life and constantly yearns for more.
Mathilde is a woman of great pride and vanity. She is obsessed with her appearance and believes that she deserves to be among the wealthy and the elite. She is also very selfish and self-centered. She is willing to lie and deceive her husband in order to attend a fancy ball.
Mathilde's character undergoes a transformation throughout the story. At the beginning, she is unhappy and unsatisfied with her life. She is constantly daydreaming about a better life. However, after losing the necklace and spending ten years paying for it, Mathilde realizes the true value of hard work and the importance of being content with what you have.
Monsieur Loisel
Monsieur Loisel is Mathilde's husband. He is a simple man who is content with his life. He works hard as a clerk and does his best to provide for his wife. He loves Mathilde deeply and is willing to do anything to make her happy.
Monsieur Loisel is a contrast to Mathilde's character. He is humble and grateful for what he has. He is not materialistic and does not care about social status or wealth. Monsieur Loisel's love for Mathilde is pure and unconditional. He is willing to sacrifice his own happiness to make her happy.
Madame Forestier
Madame Forestier is Mathilde's friend. She is wealthy and elegant. She lends Mathilde the necklace for the ball. Madame Forestier is kind and generous, but she is also a symbol of the wealth and luxury that Mathilde desires.
Madame Forestier's character is important to the story because she represents the life that Mathilde dreams of. Madame Forestier is a reminder to Mathilde of what she does not have. Madame Forestier is also the one who reveals to Mathilde that the necklace was a fake. This revelation changes the course of Mathilde's life.
Conclusion
"The Necklace" is a story about the dangers of pride and vanity. The characters of Mathilde Loisel, Monsieur Loisel, and Madame Forestier represent different aspects of society. Mathilde's character is a warning against the dangers of selfishness and materialism. Monsieur Loisel represents the importance of humility and contentment. Madame Forestier is a symbol of the wealth and luxury that so many people desire. The story teaches us that true happiness can only be found in being content with what we have.
