Analysis Of The Story The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant
The Necklace is a short story by Guy de Maupassant, published in 1884. It is a story about a young woman named Mathilde Loisel, who is unhappy with her life and dreams of luxury and wealth. When her husband, a lowly clerk, manages to secure an invitation to a prestigious ball, Mathilde borrows a beautiful diamond necklace from a wealthy friend to wear to the event. But when she loses the necklace, Mathilde's life takes a dramatic turn.
The Plot
The story is set in Paris, France in the late 19th century. Mathilde Loisel is a young woman from a poor family who has always dreamed of a life of luxury and wealth. She is married to a clerk named Monsieur Loisel, who tries his best to make her happy but is unable to provide her with the extravagant lifestyle she desires.
One day, Monsieur Loisel comes home with an invitation to a prestigious ball hosted by the Ministry of Education. Mathilde is overjoyed at the prospect of attending such an event, but quickly becomes despondent when she realizes she has nothing appropriate to wear. In a last-ditch effort to feel glamorous and beautiful, she borrows a diamond necklace from her wealthy friend Madame Forestier.
At the ball, Mathilde is the belle of the ball and dances with all the important guests. She feels like a queen and revels in the attention she receives. However, when she returns home, she realizes that the necklace is missing. In a panic, she and her husband search everywhere for it, but it is nowhere to be found.
Desperate to replace the necklace, Mathilde and her husband take out loans and go into debt to buy a new one. They spend the next ten years of their lives working to pay off the debt, living in poverty and misery. It is only after they pay off the debt that Mathilde runs into Madame Forestier, who tells her that the necklace she had borrowed was a fake, worth only a fraction of the cost of the one they had replaced.
The Themes
The Necklace explores a number of themes, including the dangers of materialism and social class. Mathilde's obsession with wealth and status leads her to borrow the necklace, which ultimately destroys her life. Her desire for luxury blinds her to the beauty of her own life, causing her to spend years chasing an illusion.
The story also explores the theme of deception. Mathilde is deceived by Madame Forestier's necklace, which she assumes is real. This deception leads her to borrow the necklace, which ultimately leads to her downfall. Additionally, Mathilde and her husband deceive themselves by going into debt to replace the necklace, believing it to be real and valuable.
The Characters
The Necklace features a small cast of characters, but each plays an important role in the story. Mathilde Loisel is the protagonist of the story, and her obsession with wealth and status drives the plot. Her husband, Monsieur Loisel, is a kind and caring man who does everything he can to make his wife happy, but is unable to provide her with the lifestyle she desires.
Madame Forestier, Mathilde's wealthy friend, plays a crucial role in the story by lending Mathilde the necklace. Although she is not directly responsible for Mathilde's downfall, her necklace sets the events of the story in motion. Finally, there are the guests at the ball, who represent the wealthy and privileged class that Mathilde longs to be a part of.
The Writing Style
Guy de Maupassant's writing style in The Necklace is simple and direct, with a focus on character and plot. The story is told in the third person omniscient point of view, which allows the reader to see into the minds of all the characters. Maupassant's use of irony and symbolism is also notable, particularly in the final revelation that the necklace was a fake.
The Significance
The Necklace is a classic example of French realism, a literary movement that sought to depict the everyday lives of ordinary people. The story's message about the dangers of materialism and the emptiness of social climbing is still relevant today, making it a timeless piece of literature. The story has been adapted into numerous plays, movies, and television shows, cementing its place in popular culture.
Conclusion
The Necklace is a powerful story that explores the dangers of materialism and social class. Through the character of Mathilde Loisel, Guy de Maupassant shows us how obsession with wealth and status can lead to our downfall. The story's themes of deception, irony, and symbolism make it a classic piece of literature that still resonates with readers today.
