The Diamond Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Summary
Introduction
The Diamond Necklace is a short story that was written by Guy De Maupassant in the late 19th century. It is a story about a woman named Mathilde Loisel who is unhappy with her life because of her social status. She believes that she deserves more and longs for a life of luxury and wealth. Her constant desire for material possessions ultimately leads to her downfall.
Summary
The story is set in Paris, France, in the late 19th century. Mathilde Loisel, the main character, is a beautiful young woman who is married to a clerk. Despite having a comfortable life, Mathilde is not happy with her social status. She dreams of a life of luxury and wealth, but her husband cannot afford to provide it for her.
One day, Mathilde's husband comes home with an invitation to a fancy ball. Mathilde is excited about the opportunity to attend, but she realizes that she does not have a suitable dress to wear. She convinces her husband to give her the money that he had been saving for a hunting trip so that she can buy a new dress.
Mathilde's husband also gives her some money to buy jewelry. Mathilde borrows a diamond necklace from her friend, Madame Forestier. She is the envy of all the women at the ball and she enjoys the attention that she receives. However, when she returns home, she realizes that she has lost the necklace.
Mathilde and her husband search for the necklace, but they cannot find it. They decide to buy a new necklace to replace the one that they lost. They borrow money, sell their possessions, and work hard to pay back the debt. It takes them ten years to pay off the debt.
One day, Mathilde runs into Madame Forestier and tells her about the necklace. Madame Forestier is surprised and tells Mathilde that the necklace was not real diamonds, but rather costume jewelry. Mathilde is devastated by this revelation and realizes that her desire for material possessions has led to her downfall.
Themes
The main theme of the story is the danger of materialism. Mathilde's constant desire for material possessions leads to her downfall. She is never satisfied with what she has, and she always wants more. Her obsession with wealth and luxury ultimately leads to her losing everything that she has.
Another theme of the story is the importance of honesty. If Mathilde had been honest with Madame Forestier about losing the necklace, she would not have had to suffer for ten years. Her dishonesty ultimately leads to her downfall.
Conclusion
The Diamond Necklace is a cautionary tale about the dangers of materialism and the importance of honesty. Mathilde's obsession with wealth and luxury ultimately leads to her downfall, and her dishonesty only makes things worse. The story serves as a reminder that true happiness cannot be found in material possessions, but rather in the relationships that we have with others.