Review Of The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant
Introduction
"The Necklace" is a short story written by the French author Guy de Maupassant. It was first published in the French newspaper "Le Gaulois" in 1884. The story is about a woman named Mathilde Loisel who borrows a diamond necklace from a wealthy friend to wear to a fancy party. When she loses the necklace, she and her husband go into debt to replace it. In the end, Mathilde learns that the necklace was a fake and that her life could have been much easier if she had been honest about losing it.
Plot Summary
Mathilde Loisel is a beautiful but discontented woman who is married to a clerk. She longs for a life of luxury and elegance, but her husband's modest income prevents her from living the life she desires. When Mathilde's husband brings home an invitation to a fancy party, Mathilde is overjoyed at the opportunity to wear a beautiful dress and mingle with the wealthy and powerful.
However, Mathilde is unhappy when she realizes that she has no jewelry to wear to the party. Her husband suggests that she borrow something from her wealthy friend Madame Forestier. Mathilde borrows a beautiful diamond necklace from Madame Forestier and wears it to the party, where she is the belle of the ball.
When Mathilde returns home from the party, she realizes that the necklace is missing. She and her husband search frantically for it, but they cannot find it. In order to replace the necklace, they take out loans and go into debt.
Mathilde spends the next ten years working to repay the debt, living a life of poverty and hardship. She runs into Madame Forestier one day and confesses that she lost the necklace. Madame Forestier is shocked and tells Mathilde that the necklace was a fake and worth very little.
Mathilde is devastated to learn that her years of hardship were for nothing. She realizes that her desire for wealth and status led her to make a series of bad choices that ultimately ruined her life.
Themes
"The Necklace" explores several themes, including the dangers of materialism and the importance of honesty. Mathilde's desire for wealth and status leads her to borrow the necklace and lie about losing it, which ultimately leads to her downfall. The story suggests that honesty and integrity are more important than material possessions.
The story also explores the theme of social class. Mathilde longs to be a part of the wealthy upper class, but her husband's modest income prevents her from living the life she desires. The story suggests that social class is a powerful force that can shape one's destiny.
Analysis
"The Necklace" is a powerful critique of French society in the late 19th century. The story suggests that the pursuit of wealth and status can lead to corruption and moral decay. Mathilde's desire for material possessions leads her to lie and cheat, ultimately leading to her downfall.
The story also criticizes the rigid class system of French society. Mathilde is unable to escape her lower-class status, despite her beauty and charm. The story suggests that social class is a powerful force that can limit one's opportunities and shape one's destiny.
Conclusion
"The Necklace" is a powerful and timeless story that explores the dangers of materialism and the importance of honesty. Mathilde's journey from a discontented woman to a poverty-stricken debtor is a cautionary tale about the perils of chasing wealth and status. The story remains relevant today, as people continue to struggle with the desire for material possessions and the pressure to conform to societal norms.