The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Symbolism
The Necklace is a short story written by Guy De Maupassant in 1884. It is a story about a woman named Mathilde Loisel who is unhappy with her life and dreams of a life of luxury and wealth. She borrows a necklace from her friend to wear to a party and loses it, leading to years of hardship to pay for a replacement. The story is known for its use of symbolism, which helps to convey the themes of the story.
The Necklace
The necklace itself is a symbol of wealth and status. Mathilde borrows the necklace from her friend because she wants to appear wealthy and sophisticated at the party. However, the necklace also becomes a symbol of Mathilde's downfall. When she loses the necklace, she and her husband are forced to buy a replacement and spend years repaying the debt. The necklace ultimately represents the price of vanity and the dangers of pursuing wealth and status.
Mathilde's Dress
Mathilde's dress is another symbol in the story. It represents her desire for a life of luxury and elegance. She spends all of her husband's savings on the dress, which she believes will help her fit in with the wealthy guests at the party. However, the dress also represents Mathilde's superficiality and her inability to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. She is so focused on her appearance that she fails to see the beauty in her own life.
The Diamond Necklace
The diamond necklace itself is also a symbol in the story. It represents the idea of wealth and status, but it also represents the idea of deception. Mathilde believes that the necklace is real and worth a fortune, but it is later revealed to be a fake. This deception highlights the idea that appearances can be deceiving and that true value lies in the things that cannot be seen or measured.
The Invitation
The invitation to the party is a symbol of hope and opportunity for Mathilde. She sees it as a chance to escape her mundane life and to experience the luxury and sophistication of the wealthy guests. However, the invitation also represents the trap that Mathilde falls into. She becomes so obsessed with fitting in with the other guests that she loses sight of what is truly important in her life.
The Mirror
The mirror is a symbol of vanity and self-absorption. Mathilde spends hours looking at herself in the mirror, trying to perfect her appearance for the party. However, the mirror also represents the idea of self-reflection. When Mathilde loses the necklace and is forced to live a life of poverty, she is forced to confront her own shortcomings and to reflect on the choices she has made in her life.
The Forest
The forest represents the unknown and the dangers that lie ahead. When Mathilde and her husband are forced to walk through the forest after the party, it represents the danger that they are facing. However, the forest also represents the idea of redemption. It is in the forest that Mathilde realizes the true value of her life and the things that are truly important to her.
The Conclusion
The Necklace is a story that uses symbolism to convey its themes. The necklace, Mathilde's dress, the diamond necklace, the invitation, the mirror, and the forest all represent different ideas and themes in the story. By using these symbols, Guy De Maupassant is able to create a powerful and thought-provoking story that continues to be read and analyzed today.
