Examples Of Personification In The Necklace
Personification is a literary device that ascribes human qualities to non-human things. In Guy de Maupassant's short story "The Necklace," personification is used to create vivid and memorable descriptions of objects and events. Here are some examples:
The Necklace Itself
The necklace in the story is personified as a living being with a personality of its own. It is described as "coquettish" and "capering" in the way it catches the light and sparkles. This personification creates a sense of magic and mystery around the necklace, making it seem like more than just a piece of jewelry.
The Streets of Paris
The streets of Paris are personified as cruel and unforgiving. They are described as "cold," "dark," and "slippery," which creates a sense of danger and foreboding. This personification also reflects the harsh realities of life for the characters in the story, who struggle to make ends meet in a society that values wealth and status above all else.
The Ballroom
The ballroom where the main character, Mathilde, attends a fancy party is personified as a place of enchantment and glamour. It is described as "brilliantly illuminated" and "filled with music and laughter." This personification creates a stark contrast between Mathilde's ordinary life and the luxurious world she longs to be a part of.
The Forest
The forest where Mathilde's husband goes to hunt for the necklace that she lost is personified as a place of mystery and danger. It is described as "black," "gloomy," and "sinister," which creates a sense of foreboding and unease. This personification also reflects the dark turn that the story takes, as Mathilde's desire for wealth and status leads her down a path of deceit and ruin.
The Mirror
The mirror in Mathilde's bedroom is personified as a cruel and mocking presence. It is described as "pitiless" and "ironic" in the way it reflects Mathilde's plain appearance and lack of wealth. This personification creates a sense of self-doubt and insecurity in Mathilde, which ultimately leads her to make a fateful decision that changes her life forever.
The Sea
The sea is personified as a calm and peaceful presence that Mathilde longs to escape to. It is described as "blue," "infinite," and "serene," which creates a sense of freedom and possibility. This personification also reflects Mathilde's desire for a better life, one that is free from the constraints of her ordinary existence.
The Party Guests
The party guests are personified as a shallow and superficial crowd. They are described as "rich," "elegant," and "distinguished," which creates a sense of exclusivity and snobbery. This personification also reflects the theme of social status that runs throughout the story, as Mathilde's desire to fit in with this crowd ultimately leads to her downfall.
The Stars
The stars are personified as a distant and unattainable dream. They are described as "dazzling," "desirable," and "inaccessible," which creates a sense of longing and yearning. This personification also reflects Mathilde's desire for a better life, one that she believes is just out of reach.
The Sunlight
The sunlight is personified as a warm and comforting presence that Mathilde longs to bask in. It is described as "golden," "soft," and "caressing," which creates a sense of comfort and security. This personification also reflects Mathilde's desire for happiness and contentment, which she believes can only be found in a life of luxury and excess.
The Dreams
The dreams that Mathilde has are personified as a tantalizing and elusive mystery. They are described as "fantastic," "marvelous," and "bewitching," which creates a sense of wonder and excitement. This personification also reflects Mathilde's desire for a better life, one that she believes can only be attained through a stroke of luck or a twist of fate.
The Chandeliers
The chandeliers in the ballroom are personified as a symbol of wealth and luxury. They are described as "sparkling," "glittering," and "dazzling," which creates a sense of opulence and extravagance. This personification also reflects the social status that Mathilde longs to attain, as she sees the chandeliers as a sign of the glamorous life she desires.
The Flowers
The flowers in the ballroom are personified as a delicate and ephemeral beauty. They are described as "fragrant," "fresh," and "charming," which creates a sense of grace and elegance. This personification also reflects the fleeting nature of Mathilde's happiness, as she soon realizes that the glamorous life she longs for is not as perfect as she imagined.
The Rain
The rain is personified as a symbol of sadness and despair. It is described as "monotonous," "melancholy," and "disheartening," which creates a sense of gloom and depression. This personification also reflects the theme of loss that runs throughout the story, as Mathilde's desire for wealth and status ultimately leads to the loss of her happiness and her marriage.
The Wind
The wind is personified as a restless and unpredictable force. It is described as "capricious," "fickle," and "inconstant," which creates a sense of danger and uncertainty. This personification also reflects the unpredictable nature of Mathilde's fate, as she realizes too late the true cost of her desire for wealth and status.
The Silence
The silence that Mathilde experiences in her ordinary life is personified as a suffocating and oppressive presence. It is described as "heavy," "thick," and "palpable," which creates a sense of claustrophobia and isolation. This personification also reflects the theme of dissatisfaction that runs throughout the story, as Mathilde longs for a life that is beyond her reach.
The Clock
The clock in Mathilde's home is personified as a relentless and unforgiving presence. It is described as "implacable," "insistent," and "pitiless," which creates a sense of urgency and pressure. This personification also reflects the theme of time that runs throughout the story, as Mathilde realizes too late the true cost of her desire for wealth and status.
The Shadows
The shadows that Mathilde sees in her ordinary life are personified as a dark and oppressive force. They are described as "sinister," "menacing," and "ominous," which creates a sense of danger and foreboding. This personification also reflects Mathilde's sense of dissatisfaction with her life, as she longs for a brighter and more glamorous existence.
The Stairs
The stairs in the ballroom are personified as a symbol of social status and hierarchy. They are described as "majestic," "imposing," and "dignified," which creates a sense of awe and respect. This personification also reflects the social climbing that Mathilde engages in, as she tries to fit in with the wealthy and powerful people at the party.
The Candles
The candles in the ballroom are personified as a symbol of luxury and excess. They are described as "perfumed," "soft," and "bright," which creates a sense of opulence and extravagance. This personification also reflects the social status that Mathilde longs to attain, as she sees the candles as a sign of the glamorous life she desires.
The Chairs
The chairs in the ballroom are personified as a symbol of social hierarchy and power. They are described as "elegant," "comfortable," and "distinguished," which creates a sense of exclusivity and snobbery. This personification also reflects the social climbing that Mathilde engages in, as she tries to fit in with the wealthy and powerful people at the party.
The Waiters
The waiters in the ballroom are personified as a symbol of servitude and subservience. They are described as "silent," "attentive," and "devoted," which creates a sense of hierarchy and power. This personification also reflects the social status that Mathilde longs to attain, as she sees the waiters as a sign of the glamorous life she desires.
The Music
The music in the ballroom is personified as a symbol of joy and celebration. It is described as "lively," "rhythmic," and "enchanting," which creates a sense of happiness and excitement. This personification also reflects the contrast between Mathilde's ordinary life and the luxurious world she longs to be a part of.
The Dreams
The dreams that Mathilde has are personified as a tantalizing and elusive mystery. They are described as "fantastic," "marvelous," and "bewitching," which creates a sense of wonder and excitement. This personification also reflects Mathilde's desire for a better life, one that she believes is just out of reach.
The Conclusion
Personification is a powerful tool that can be used to bring life and personality to non-human things. In "The Necklace," Guy de Maupassant uses personification to create vivid and memorable descriptions of objects and events, helping to enhance the story's themes and characters. By personifying the necklace, the streets of Paris, the ballroom, and other elements of the story, de Maupassant creates a world that is both magical and harsh, beautiful and cruel. This world reflects the struggles of the characters in the story, who must navigate a society that values wealth and status above all else. Through personification, de Maupassant gives voice to these struggles, creating a story that is both timeless and relevant.