The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Full Story
Introduction
"The Necklace" is a short story by the French writer Guy de Maupassant. It was first published in the French newspaper Le Gaulois on February 17, 1884. The story has since become one of Maupassant's most popular works and is often anthologized in literature textbooks. It has been adapted into numerous films and stage productions. The story explores themes of class, vanity, and the consequences of making poor choices.
Plot Summary
The story is set in Paris in the late 19th century and follows the life of Madame Mathilde Loisel, a beautiful and charming woman from a middle-class family. Despite her humble origins, Madame Loisel dreams of a life of luxury and glamour. She is married to a clerk named Monsieur Loisel, who is content with their modest lifestyle.
One day, Madame Loisel receives an invitation to a ball hosted by the Ministry of Education. She is thrilled at the prospect of attending such a prestigious event and spends weeks preparing for it. However, she is dismayed to find that she has nothing suitable to wear. In a fit of desperation, she borrows a diamond necklace from a wealthy friend.
At the ball, Madame Loisel is the center of attention and enjoys all the luxuries that come with high society. She dances and flirts with the other guests, feeling beautiful and admired. However, when she returns home, she realizes that she has lost the borrowed necklace.
Madame Loisel and Monsieur Loisel search frantically for the necklace but cannot find it. They are unable to replace it as they cannot afford the cost. In order to pay for a new necklace, they are forced to borrow money and sell some of their possessions. They spend years living in poverty, struggling to repay their debts.
Years later, Madame Loisel runs into the friend from whom she had borrowed the necklace. She confesses to losing it and replaces it with a new one. Only then does she learn that the original necklace had been a fake, worth only a fraction of what she had paid to replace it.
Themes
"The Necklace" explores several important themes, including:
Vanity
Madame Loisel is obsessed with her appearance and social status. She believes that her beauty entitles her to a life of luxury and glamour. Her vanity is the driving force behind her desire to attend the ball, and it ultimately leads to her downfall.
Pride
Monsieur Loisel is a humble and contented man. He is proud of his modest but honest lifestyle. In contrast, Madame Loisel is ashamed of their social status and is willing to take drastic measures to hide it. Her pride blinds her to the realities of their situation and prevents her from seeking help or advice.
Consequences of Poor Choices
The loss of the necklace has disastrous consequences for Madame Loisel and her husband. Their poor choices and lack of foresight lead them into debt, poverty, and years of hardship. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity and the importance of making responsible choices.
Conclusion
"The Necklace" is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of class, vanity, and the consequences of poor choices are as relevant now as they were in Maupassant's time. The story serves as a powerful reminder that our actions have consequences and that we must be mindful of our choices.