The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Annotated
The Necklace is a short story written by Guy de Maupassant, a French writer who was known for his ability to capture the essence of human nature in his works. The story was first published in the French newspaper Le Gaulois in 1884 and has since become one of his most popular works. The Necklace is a tale of a woman named Mathilde Loisel who dreams of living a glamorous life but is trapped in a life of poverty.
The Plot
The story is set in 19th century Paris and revolves around a young woman named Mathilde Loisel. Mathilde is a beautiful woman who dreams of living a life of luxury and glamour. However, her reality is far from her dreams. She is married to a lowly clerk and lives in a small apartment. Mathilde is unhappy with her life and constantly dreams of living a better life.
One day, her husband comes home with an invitation to a fancy ball hosted by the Ministry of Education. Mathilde is thrilled at the thought of attending the ball but realizes that she has nothing to wear. Her husband suggests that she borrow a necklace from her friend Madame Forestier. Mathilde borrows a beautiful diamond necklace and attends the ball, where she is the center of attention.
However, when she returns home, she realizes that she has lost the necklace. Mathilde and her husband spend the next ten years of their lives in poverty, working hard to pay off the debt they incurred to buy a new necklace to replace the lost one. In the end, Mathilde runs into Madame Forestier and learns that the necklace she lost was a fake one and not worth much.
The Themes
The Necklace is a story that explores many themes, including the dangers of pride and the consequences of dishonesty. Mathilde's desire for a life of luxury and glamour leads her to borrow the necklace, which ultimately leads to her downfall. Her pride prevents her from telling Madame Forestier the truth about the lost necklace, which causes her to spend the next ten years of her life in poverty.
The story also explores the theme of appearance versus reality. Mathilde's desire to appear wealthy and glamorous leads her to borrow the necklace, but the reality is that the necklace was fake and not worth much. This theme is also evident in the fact that Mathilde's life appears to be glamorous at the ball, but the reality is that she is unhappy and trapped in a life of poverty.
The Characters
The Necklace is a character-driven story that explores the motivations and actions of its protagonists. Mathilde Loisel is a complex character who is driven by her desire for a better life. She is unhappy with her current situation and dreams of living a life of luxury and glamour. However, her desire for a better life ultimately leads to her downfall.
Mathilde's husband is a simple man who is content with his life. He loves his wife and is willing to do anything to make her happy. However, his love for his wife blinds him to the consequences of borrowing the necklace.
Madame Forestier is Mathilde's wealthy friend who lends her the necklace. She is a minor character in the story, but her actions have a significant impact on the plot. She is also a symbol of the life that Mathilde desires but can never attain.
The Writing Style
Guy de Maupassant's writing style is characterized by its realism and simplicity. He uses simple language and clear descriptions to create vivid images in the reader's mind. The Necklace is a perfect example of his writing style. The story is written in a straightforward manner, and the plot is easy to follow. The language is simple, but the story is rich in detail and emotion.
The Annotated Version
An annotated version of The Necklace includes notes and explanations of the text. Annotations can provide insight into the author's intentions, the historical context of the story, and the literary devices used in the text. An annotated version of The Necklace can help readers to better understand the themes, characters, and writing style of the story.
Conclusion
The Necklace is a timeless classic that explores the themes of pride, appearance versus reality, and the consequences of dishonesty. The story is beautifully written and is a perfect example of Guy de Maupassant's writing style. An annotated version of The Necklace can provide readers with a deeper understanding of the story and its themes.
