Summary For The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant
Introduction
The Necklace is a short story by Guy de Maupassant, first published in the French newspaper Le Gaulois in 1884. It is one of the most well-known and widely read stories of the author. The story is set in Paris in the late 19th century and follows the life of Madame Loisel, a beautiful but discontented wife of a clerk.
Plot Summary
The story starts with Madame Loisel feeling unhappy and dissatisfied with her modest lifestyle. She daydreams about living a luxurious life, attending fancy parties, and wearing expensive dresses and jewelry. However, her husband's salary is not enough to fulfill her desires.
One day, Madame Loisel's husband comes home with an invitation to a ball hosted by the Ministry of Education. Madame Loisel is delighted but realizes that she has nothing suitable to wear. Her husband suggests that she borrows a necklace from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier. Madame Loisel borrows the necklace and attends the ball, where she becomes the center of attention.
After the ball, Madame Loisel realizes that she has lost the necklace. She and her husband search for it but cannot find it. They decide to replace the necklace and purchase a new one, which costs them a considerable amount of money. To pay for the necklace, they must borrow money and work hard to repay the debt over ten years, which causes them to fall into poverty.
Themes
The Necklace explores several themes, including social class and the dangers of materialism. Madame Loisel is dissatisfied with her life because she is not wealthy and does not have the privileges that come with wealth. She values material possessions, such as expensive dresses and jewelry, and believes that they are necessary to be happy.
The story also portrays the consequences of pride and dishonesty. Madame Loisel is proud and refuses to tell Madame Forestier that she has lost the necklace. Instead, she replaces it and works hard to repay the debt. Her dishonesty and pride lead to her downfall and poverty.
Conclusion
The Necklace is a poignant and thought-provoking story that highlights the dangers of materialism, pride, and dishonesty. It is a cautionary tale that teaches us to be content with what we have and not to value material possessions over our relationships and happiness. The story has been adapted into various films, plays, and other literary works and remains one of the most popular and enduring works of fiction.
