The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Characterization
The Necklace is a short story written by Guy De Maupassant in the late 19th century. It is a story about a woman named Mathilde Loisel who is not content with her simple life and desires to live a luxurious life. The story is known for its vivid characterization that is portrayed throughout the story. In this article, we will discuss the characterization in The Necklace by Guy De Maupassant.
Mathilde Loisel
The protagonist of the story, Mathilde Loisel, is a beautiful woman who longs for a life of luxury and extravagance. She is depicted as a woman who is unhappy with her simple life and is constantly envious of those who have more than her. Mathilde is described as having natural beauty, but her appearance is marred by her constant dissatisfaction with her life and her surroundings. She is a character who is never satisfied and is always longing for more, which ultimately leads to her downfall.
Monsieur Loisel
Monsieur Loisel is the husband of Mathilde Loisel. He is depicted as a kind and loving man who does everything in his power to make his wife happy. Monsieur Loisel is a content man who is satisfied with his simple life and does not seek extravagance. He is a character who is in stark contrast to his wife, Mathilde, who is never satisfied with what she has.
Madame Forestier
Madame Forestier is a childhood friend of Mathilde Loisel. She is a wealthy woman who has everything that Mathilde desires. Madame Forestier is portrayed as a character who is content with her life and is not envious of others. She is a character who represents the opposite of Mathilde Loisel, who is constantly envious of others and never satisfied with her life.
The Necklace
The necklace is a symbol of Mathilde Loisel's desire for luxury and extravagance. It is a beautiful piece of jewelry that Mathilde borrows from Madame Forestier to wear to a party. The necklace ultimately leads to Mathilde's downfall, as she loses the necklace and spends the rest of her life paying for a new one. The necklace represents the futility of Mathilde's desire for extravagance and luxury.
The Theme of Appearance vs. Reality
The theme of appearance vs. reality is prevalent throughout The Necklace. Mathilde Loisel is a character who is obsessed with appearances and is never satisfied with the reality of her life. She longs for a life of luxury and extravagance, but the reality of her life is much simpler. The necklace is a symbol of this theme, as it appears to be a beautiful piece of jewelry, but in reality, it leads to Mathilde's downfall.
The Importance of Contentment
The Necklace highlights the importance of contentment and being satisfied with one's life. Monsieur Loisel is a character who is content with his simple life, and as a result, he is happy. Mathilde Loisel, on the other hand, is never satisfied with her life and is constantly longing for more. Her desire for luxury and extravagance ultimately leads to her downfall. The story emphasizes the importance of being content with what one has and being grateful for it.
The Irony of Mathilde's Situation
The Necklace is a story that is full of irony. Mathilde Loisel longs for a life of luxury and extravagance, but when she finally gets a taste of it, it leads to her downfall. The irony of Mathilde's situation is that she spends the rest of her life paying for a new necklace, which ultimately turns out to be a fake. The story emphasizes the futility of Mathilde's desire for extravagance and luxury.
The Tragic Ending
The Necklace has a tragic ending that emphasizes the importance of being content with one's life. Mathilde Loisel's desire for luxury and extravagance leads to her downfall, and she spends the rest of her life paying for a new necklace. The tragic ending of the story emphasizes the futility of Mathilde's desire for extravagance and luxury and the importance of being content with what one has.
Conclusion
The Necklace is a story that is full of vivid characterization and emphasizes the importance of being content with one's life. Mathilde Loisel is a character who is never satisfied with her life and is constantly envious of those who have more than her. Monsieur Loisel, on the other hand, is a character who is content with his simple life and is happy. The story emphasizes the futility of Mathilde's desire for extravagance and luxury and the importance of being content with what one has. The Necklace is a timeless story that continues to be relevant today.