Examples Of Foreshadowing In The Necklace
The Necklace, written by Guy de Maupassant, is a short story that explores the theme of the consequences of greed and envy. The story is set in France during the 19th century, and it follows the life of a woman named Mathilde Loisel, who is unhappy with her modest social status and longs for a life of luxury and extravagance.
What is foreshadowing?
Foreshadowing is a literary device that authors use to give readers hints or clues about what will happen later in the story. It is a way of building suspense and keeping readers engaged by creating anticipation and expectation about what will happen next.
In The Necklace, Guy de Maupassant uses foreshadowing to create a sense of inevitability about the story's tragic ending. Throughout the story, there are several instances of foreshadowing that hint at the eventual outcome of Mathilde's actions.
Mathilde's desire for luxury
From the very beginning of the story, Guy de Maupassant foreshadows Mathilde's eventual downfall by highlighting her desire for luxury and wealth. Mathilde is unhappy with her modest social status and longs for a life of luxury and extravagance. She dreams of attending fancy parties and wearing expensive jewelry.
Her desire for luxury is evident when she borrows a beautiful diamond necklace from her friend Madame Forestier to wear to a party. Mathilde is so thrilled by the necklace that she feels as if she has finally achieved the social status she desires. However, this desire for luxury ultimately leads to her downfall.
The lost necklace
Another instance of foreshadowing in The Necklace is the lost necklace itself. When Mathilde borrows the necklace from Madame Forestier, Guy de Maupassant describes it in great detail, emphasizing its beauty and value. This description creates a sense of importance around the necklace and foreshadows its eventual loss.
Just as Guy de Maupassant foreshadows the importance of the necklace, he also hints at its loss. When Mathilde returns the necklace to Madame Forestier, she is unaware that she has lost it, and it is not until later that she discovers its loss. This loss ultimately leads to Mathilde's downfall and the tragic ending of the story.
The consequences of envy and greed
Finally, Guy de Maupassant uses foreshadowing to emphasize the consequences of envy and greed. Mathilde's desire for luxury and her envy of those who have more than her lead her to borrow the necklace from Madame Forestier. However, her greed and desire for admiration cause her to lie about the loss of the necklace and to spend years of her life in poverty trying to replace it.
Guy de Maupassant foreshadows the consequences of envy and greed by highlighting the unhappiness and isolation that Mathilde experiences throughout the story. Her envy of others and her desire for more cause her to feel disconnected from her husband and her modest life, leading to her eventual downfall.
Conclusion
The Necklace is a powerful story that explores the theme of the consequences of greed and envy. Guy de Maupassant uses foreshadowing throughout the story to create a sense of inevitability about Mathilde's tragic ending. By emphasizing Mathilde's desire for luxury, the importance of the lost necklace, and the consequences of envy and greed, Guy de Maupassant creates a powerful and memorable story that continues to resonate with readers today.
