Examples Of Alliteration In The Necklace
The Necklace is a short story written by Guy de Maupassant in 1884. The story tells the tale of a woman named Mathilde Loisel who borrows a necklace from a wealthy friend to wear to a high society party. After losing the necklace, Mathilde and her husband spend ten years repaying the debt. Throughout the story, Maupassant uses alliteration to create a lyrical and poetic effect. Here are some examples of alliteration in The Necklace:
"She was one of those pretty and charming women"
The story begins with an alliterative description of Mathilde as a "pretty and charming" woman. The repetition of the "p" sound creates a musical quality to the prose, drawing the reader in and setting the tone for the rest of the narrative.
"She was unhappy all the time because she felt she deserved better"
Maupassant uses alliteration to emphasize Mathilde's unhappiness. The repetition of the "h" sound in "unhappy" and "because" creates a melancholy mood, highlighting the character's dissatisfaction with her life.
"She danced madly, wildly"
When Mathilde finally attends the party, she dances with abandon. Maupassant uses alliteration to convey the energy of her movements. The repetition of the "d" sound in "danced" and "madly" adds to the frenzied atmosphere of the scene.
"The necklace was not found"
After the party, Mathilde realizes that she has lost the necklace. The alliteration in this sentence adds to the sense of finality and despair. The repetition of the "n" sound in "necklace" and "not" emphasizes the fact that the item is gone forever.
"They worked evenings, borrowing, ruinous, disgraceful"
After Mathilde loses the necklace, she and her husband spend the next ten years repaying the debt. Maupassant uses alliteration to convey the difficulty of their situation. The repetition of the "w" sound in "worked," "evenings," "borrowing," "ruinous," and "disgraceful" emphasizes the struggle and hardship the couple endures.
"The horrible life of the needy"
Throughout the story, Maupassant uses alliteration to emphasize the poverty and desperation of Mathilde and her husband. The repetition of the "h" sound in "horrible" and "needy" creates a bleak and hopeless tone, underscoring the couple's dire circumstances.
The Necklace is a masterpiece of short fiction, and Maupassant's use of alliteration adds depth and texture to the narrative. From the alliterative beginning to the final despairing sentence, the story is a testament to the power of language to evoke emotion and create meaning.
