Summary Of The Necklace By Maupassant
The Necklace is a short story written by Guy de Maupassant in 1884. The story follows the life of Mathilde Loisel, a beautiful but vain woman who believes that she deserves a much better life than the one she has been given. Mathilde is married to a clerk who works in the Ministry of Education and they live in a small apartment in Paris. Despite her humble surroundings, Mathilde dreams of a luxurious life filled with expensive clothes, jewelry, and lavish parties.
The Invitation
One day, Mathilde's husband comes home with an invitation to a fancy ball at the Ministry of Education. Mathilde is overjoyed at the prospect of attending such a prestigious event but is disappointed when she realizes that she does not have any suitable clothes or jewelry to wear. Her husband suggests that she borrow something from her friend Madame Forestier, who is wealthy and has many beautiful things.
The Necklace
Madame Forestier shows Mathilde a box of jewelry and Mathilde is immediately drawn to a beautiful diamond necklace. Madame Forestier allows Mathilde to borrow the necklace and Mathilde is thrilled to wear it to the ball. She feels like she is finally living the life she has always dreamed of.
The Loss
The night of the ball is a success and Mathilde is the center of attention. She dances, drinks and enjoys herself until the early hours of the morning. When she returns home, she realizes that the necklace is missing. They search everywhere for the necklace but it is nowhere to be found. Mathilde and her husband decide to replace the necklace but it costs them a large sum of money that they cannot afford.
The Truth
Mathilde and her husband work hard to pay off the debt incurred by the cost of the replacement necklace. They live a life of poverty and struggle for ten years until Mathilde runs into Madame Forestier on the street. She tells Madame Forestier the truth about the necklace and is shocked to learn that the necklace was a fake and worth only a few francs. If Mathilde had told Madame Forestier the truth ten years earlier, she could have saved herself and her husband from years of hardship and struggle.
Conclusion
The Necklace is a cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity and the importance of honesty. Mathilde's obsession with material possessions causes her to make a mistake that leads to years of hardship and poverty. The story teaches us that honesty is always the best policy, and that it is important to be grateful for what we have rather than always wanting more.
