The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Review
Introduction
The Necklace is a short story by Guy De Maupassant that was first published in 1884. This story is a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of readers for over a century. It is a tale of greed, envy, and the consequences of our actions. The story is set in Paris in the late 19th century and revolves around the life of a middle-class woman named Mathilde Loisel.
Plot Summary
Mathilde Loisel is a beautiful and charming woman who is married to a clerk. She is not satisfied with her modest lifestyle 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 Minister of Education. Mathilde is thrilled at the prospect of attending the ball, but she has nothing to wear.
Desperate to look her best, Mathilde borrows a diamond necklace from a wealthy friend. She feels like a queen at the ball and enjoys the attention of the other guests. However, on her way home, she realizes that she has lost the necklace. Mathilde and her husband search for the necklace but cannot find it. They decide to buy a new one to replace it, but it takes them ten years to pay off the debt.
Character Analysis
Mathilde Loisel is the main character of the story. She is a beautiful and charming woman who is not satisfied with her simple life. She dreams of living a life of luxury and wealth and is willing to do anything to achieve it. She is also very manipulative and lies to her friend about the loss of the necklace.
Mathilde's husband is a clerk who loves his wife but cannot afford to give her the life she desires. He is a kind and honest man who works hard to provide for his family. He is devastated by the loss of the necklace and spends ten years of his life paying off the debt.
Themes
The Necklace is a story that explores several themes, including the dangers of materialism and the consequences of our actions. Mathilde's desire for wealth and status leads her to borrow the necklace and ultimately lose it. Her actions have a lasting impact on her and her husband's lives, and they spend ten years paying off the debt.
The story also highlights the importance of honesty and integrity. Mathilde lies to her friend about the loss of the necklace, and her actions have severe consequences. The story shows that honesty is always the best policy and that lying can cause more harm than good.
Conclusion
The Necklace is a timeless classic that has captivated readers for over a century. It is a story that explores several themes, including the dangers of materialism and the consequences of our actions. It is a cautionary tale that reminds us of the importance of honesty and integrity. The story is beautifully written and has a surprising twist ending that will leave readers stunned. If you have not read The Necklace, it is a must-read for any lover of classic literature.
