The Diamond Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Pdf
Introduction
"The Diamond Necklace" is a short story written by Guy De Maupassant, first published in the French newspaper Le Gaulois in 1884. It is a tale that explores the themes of deception, ambition, and the consequences of greed. The story is set in Paris and follows the life of a young woman named Mathilde Loisel, who longs to be a part of high society and live a life of luxury.
Plot Summary
The story begins with Mathilde Loisel, a beautiful and charming young woman, who is married to a clerk in the Ministry of Education. Despite her comfortable life, Mathilde is unhappy and dreams of living a life of luxury and wealth. One day, her husband brings home an invitation to a fancy ball hosted by the Ministry of Education. Mathilde is thrilled at the prospect of attending the ball, but realizes that she has nothing suitable to wear.
Desperate to look her best, Mathilde borrows a stunning diamond necklace from her wealthy friend Madame Forestier. She wears the necklace to the ball and is the center of attention, receiving compliments and admiration from all the guests. However, on returning home, she realizes that the necklace is missing. Frantic and terrified, Mathilde and her husband borrow a large sum of money to replace the necklace and return it to Madame Forestier.
Years pass, and Mathilde and her husband live a life of poverty, struggling to pay off the debt incurred to replace the necklace. One day, Mathilde runs into Madame Forestier and confesses to her the truth about the necklace. Madame Forestier is shocked and reveals that the necklace was a fake, worth only a fraction of the cost of the replacement.
Analysis
"The Diamond Necklace" is a cautionary tale that highlights the dangers of greed and deception. Mathilde's desire to be a part of high society leads her to borrow a necklace that she cannot afford to replace. Her reckless actions have serious consequences, not only for herself but also for her husband, who has to bear the burden of her debt.
The story also highlights the theme of appearance versus reality. The necklace that Mathilde borrows appears to be a valuable and precious item, but in reality, it is a fake. This theme is further emphasized by the fact that Mathilde's appearance at the ball is also deceptive, as she is dressed in borrowed clothes and wearing borrowed jewelry.
Conclusion
"The Diamond Necklace" remains a classic work of literature that explores timeless themes of human nature. Its cautionary message about the dangers of deception and greed is as relevant today as it was when it was first written. The story is a reminder that material possessions are not the key to happiness and that true contentment can only be found in the things that matter most in life, such as love, family, and friendship.
