The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Worksheet
Introduction
"The Necklace" is a short story written by Guy De Maupassant in 1884. This story was first published in a French newspaper called Le Gaulois. The story is about a woman named Mathilde Loisel, who borrows a necklace from her friend to wear to a party. After losing the necklace, she struggles to replace it, and her life is forever changed.
The Characters
The main character in the story is Mathilde Loisel, a beautiful, but unhappy woman. She is married to a clerk and dreams of a luxurious life. Her friend, Madame Forestier, lends her the necklace that Mathilde borrows for the party. Monsieur Loisel is Mathilde's husband, and he works hard to provide for his wife. Madame Forestier is Mathilde's wealthy friend who lends her the necklace.
The Setting
The story is set in Paris, France, in the late 19th century. The city is described as glamorous and magical, with beautiful buildings and elegant parties. The story takes place during the winter, which is described as cold and bleak.
The Plot
Mathilde Loisel dreams of a luxurious life, but her husband can only afford a modest lifestyle. When she is invited to a fancy party, she is disappointed that she has nothing to wear. Her friend Madame Forestier lends her a beautiful diamond necklace, which Mathilde wears to the party. At the party, Mathilde is the center of attention and has a wonderful time. However, when she returns home, she realizes that she has lost the necklace. She and her husband spend years working to repay the debt they incurred to buy a replacement necklace. Eventually, Mathilde runs into Madame Forestier and tells her the truth about the lost necklace. Madame Forestier reveals that the necklace was a fake and worth very little.
The Themes
The story explores several themes, including the dangers of envy and pride, the importance of honesty, and the consequences of deceit. Mathilde's desire for a luxurious life leads her to borrow a necklace that she cannot afford to replace. Her dishonesty and pride have significant consequences for herself and her husband.
The Literary Devices
De Maupassant uses several literary devices in the story, including irony, symbolism, and foreshadowing. The necklace is a symbol of wealth and status, and Mathilde's desire for it is ultimately her downfall. The irony in the story is that the necklace is fake, but it still has a significant impact on Mathilde's life. The foreshadowing is evident when Mathilde is described as being unhappy and dissatisfied with her life at the beginning of the story.
The Lesson
The story teaches us the value of honesty and the dangers of envy and pride. Mathilde's dishonesty and desire for a luxurious life have significant consequences for herself and her husband. Her story reminds us that true happiness cannot be found in material possessions and that honesty is always the best policy.
The Worksheet
The "Necklace" worksheet is a tool that can be used to help students understand the story's themes, literary devices, and characters. The worksheet includes questions about the story's plot, setting, and characters. It also includes questions about the story's themes and literary devices. The worksheet can be used as a classroom activity or as homework.
Conclusion
"The Necklace" is a timeless story that teaches us the value of honesty and the dangers of envy and pride. Mathilde's story reminds us that true happiness cannot be found in material possessions and that honesty is always the best policy. The "Necklace" worksheet is a useful tool that can be used to help students understand the story's themes, literary devices, and characters.
