The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Main Characters
"The Necklace" is a short story by Guy de Maupassant, first published in 1884. The story is set in 19th century France and follows the life of a middle-class woman named Mathilde Loisel. The story is famous for its twist ending, which has become a classic example of the twist ending in literature.
Mathilde Loisel
Mathilde Loisel is the main character of the story. She is a beautiful but dissatisfied young woman who dreams of a life of luxury and elegance. However, she is married to a simple clerk and lives a life of poverty. Mathilde is unhappy with her life and longs for something more, but she cannot afford the lifestyle she desires.
Mathilde's dissatisfaction with her life leads her to borrow a necklace from her friend Madame Forestier, which she loses at a party. She then spends the next ten years of her life working to pay off the debt she incurred to replace the necklace. Mathilde's character is a classic example of the dangers of envy and dissatisfaction.
M. Loisel
M. Loisel is Mathilde's husband. He is a simple clerk who loves his wife and tries to make her happy, but he cannot afford the lifestyle she desires. Despite his love for Mathilde, M. Loisel is often frustrated by her dissatisfaction with their life and her constant desire for more.
Madame Forestier
Madame Forestier is Mathilde's friend who lends her the necklace that she loses. Madame Forestier is wealthy and elegant, and Mathilde envies her lifestyle. However, Madame Forestier is also kind and generous, and she does not blame Mathilde for losing the necklace. Madame Forestier's character is a contrast to Mathilde's, highlighting the dangers of envy and the virtues of kindness and generosity.
Conclusion
"The Necklace" is a classic example of the dangers of envy and dissatisfaction. Mathilde Loisel's character is a cautionary tale about the dangers of wanting more than we can afford, and her story has become a classic example of the twist ending in literature. The other characters in the story, including M. Loisel and Madame Forestier, serve to contrast Mathilde's character and highlight the virtues of contentment, kindness, and generosity.