Summary Of Short Story The Necklace
The Necklace is a short story written by Guy de Maupassant in 1884. It is one of the most popular short stories in the world that tells about a woman named Mathilde Loisel. The story is set in Paris, France, during the 19th century.
The Plot of the Story
The story revolves around Mathilde Loisel, a beautiful but discontented woman who is married to a clerk. She is unhappy with her life because she believes that she was born for wealth and luxury. One day, Mathilde's husband brings home an invitation to a fancy ball. Mathilde is excited but feels that she cannot attend the ball because she has nothing to wear.
The Necklace
Mathilde borrows a beautiful necklace from her wealthy friend Madame Forestier. She wears the necklace to the ball and is the center of attention. Mathilde enjoys the ball, but when she returns home, she realizes that the necklace is missing. She and her husband search for the necklace but cannot find it. They decide to buy a new necklace to replace the lost one, but it will take them 10 years to pay off the debt.
The Revelation
Mathilde and her husband work hard to pay off the debt. They move to a smaller apartment and live a frugal life. Mathilde becomes an old and worn-out woman, but she still dreams of the luxurious life that she could have had. One day, she meets Madame Forestier on the street and tells her the story of how she lost the necklace. Madame Forestier is shocked and tells Mathilde that the necklace was not made of real diamonds but was an imitation. Mathilde realizes that her 10 years of hard work and sacrifice were for nothing.
The Moral of the Story
The Necklace teaches an important lesson about the dangers of envy and greed. Mathilde Loisel is not content with her life, and her desire for wealth and luxury leads her to make a series of bad decisions. She borrows a necklace that she cannot afford to replace, and her desire for wealth drives her and her husband to live a life of hardship for 10 years. The story shows that material possessions do not bring happiness and that true happiness comes from being content with what you have.
Conclusion
The Necklace is a timeless masterpiece that has been read and loved by people all over the world. It is a story that teaches us an important lesson about human nature and the dangers of envy and greed. The story is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the human condition and the true meaning of happiness.