The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Point Of View
Introduction
"The Necklace" is a short story by French writer Guy De Maupassant, first published in 1884. The story revolves around a woman named Mathilde Loisel, who dreams of a life of luxury and wealth, but is trapped in a middle-class existence. The story is told from a third-person omniscient point of view, which allows the reader to see into the thoughts and feelings of the characters.
Plot Summary
The story begins with Mathilde Loisel, a young woman who is unhappy with her life. She dreams of a life of luxury and wealth, but is trapped in a middle-class existence. When her husband, a clerk in the Ministry of Education, receives an invitation to a ball at the palace, Mathilde is thrilled. However, she is dismayed when she realizes that she has nothing to wear.
Her husband offers to buy her a new dress, but Mathilde insists that she needs jewelry to complete her outfit. Her husband gives her 400 francs to buy a dress, but Mathilde spends the money on a diamond necklace instead. She wears the necklace to the ball and is the belle of the ball, but she loses the necklace on the way home.
Mathilde and her husband spend the next ten years in poverty, working to pay off the debt they incurred to replace the necklace. When they finally pay off the debt, Mathilde runs into Madame Forestier, the woman who loaned her the necklace. Madame Forestier tells Mathilde that the necklace was a fake, worth only a fraction of the cost of the original. Mathilde is devastated by the realization that her ten years of hard work were for nothing.
Point Of View
The story is told from a third-person omniscient point of view, which allows the reader to see into the thoughts and feelings of the characters. This point of view is used to great effect in "The Necklace," as it allows the reader to understand Mathilde's motivations and desires. The story is not told from Mathilde's point of view, but the reader is able to empathize with her nonetheless.
The third-person omniscient point of view also allows the reader to see into the thoughts and feelings of other characters, such as Mathilde's husband and Madame Forestier. This provides a more complete picture of the story and allows the reader to understand the motivations of all the characters.
Themes
"The Necklace" explores several themes, including the dangers of materialism and the importance of honesty. Mathilde's obsession with material possessions ultimately leads to her downfall, as she is willing to sacrifice her own happiness and the happiness of those around her in order to maintain the appearance of wealth and luxury. The story also highlights the importance of honesty, as Mathilde's deception ultimately leads to her downfall.
Symbols
The diamond necklace is a symbol of wealth and luxury, and represents Mathilde's desire for a life of material possessions. The necklace also symbolizes the dangers of materialism, as Mathilde's obsession with the necklace ultimately leads to her downfall.
The ball at the palace is another symbol in the story, representing the life of luxury and wealth that Mathilde dreams of. However, the ball also represents the superficiality of this lifestyle, as Mathilde is only able to enjoy herself because of her appearance and the necklace she is wearing.
Conclusion
"The Necklace" is a powerful story that explores the dangers of materialism and the importance of honesty. The story is told from a third-person omniscient point of view, which allows the reader to see into the thoughts and feelings of the characters. The story's themes and symbols are used to great effect, providing a powerful commentary on the human condition.
