The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Exposition
“The Necklace” is a short story written by Guy De Maupassant. It was first published in the French newspaper Le Gaulois in 1884. The story is about a woman named Mathilde Loisel who is unhappy with her life, dreaming of a luxurious existence, and is subsequently plunged into poverty because of her desire for wealth and status.
The Setting and Characters
The story is set in Paris during the late 19th century. Mathilde Loisel is the protagonist, who is married to a low-paid clerk, Monsieur Loisel. She is a beautiful woman, but her beauty is wasted because she is poor and can't afford to dress well. Mathilde is unhappy with her life and constantly dreams of a luxurious existence. Her husband is content with their simple life and tries to make her happy despite their financial difficulties.
The Exposition
The exposition is the beginning of a story that provides the background information on the setting, characters, and their circumstances. In “The Necklace,” the exposition reveals Mathilde Loisel's desire for a luxurious lifestyle and her unhappiness with her current life. The exposition also introduces Monsieur Loisel, her husband, who tries to make her happy despite their financial difficulties.
One evening, Monsieur Loisel comes home with an invitation to a ball. Mathilde is excited but soon realizes that she has nothing to wear. Monsieur Loisel suggests that she borrow jewelry from her wealthy friend Madame Forestier. Mathilde borrows a stunning necklace from Madame Forestier and is the belle of the ball. Everyone admires her beauty and jewelry.
However, on the way home, Mathilde realizes that she has lost the necklace. They search for it but cannot find it. They decide to replace the necklace by taking out loans and buying a new one to give to Madame Forestier. It takes them ten years to pay off the debt.
The Irony
The irony in “The Necklace” is that Mathilde Loisel's desire for a luxurious lifestyle leads to her downfall. She borrows a necklace from her friend, loses it, and replaces it with a new one. However, the necklace was not real; it was made of paste. Mathilde and Monsieur Loisel spend ten years paying off the debt for a necklace that was worth nothing.
The Theme
The theme of “The Necklace” is the danger of materialism and the illusion of wealth. Mathilde Loisel's desire for a luxurious lifestyle and her obsession with material possessions lead her to borrow a necklace, lose it, and replace it with a fake one. The story shows how materialism can lead to a person's downfall.
The Conclusion
“The Necklace” is a cautionary tale that warns against the danger of materialism and the illusion of wealth. Mathilde Loisel's desire for a luxurious lifestyle leads her to borrow a necklace, lose it, and replace it with a fake one. The story shows how materialism can lead to a person's downfall, and how important it is to be content with what one has.