The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Literary Devices
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 revolves around a woman named Mathilde Loisel who borrows a diamond necklace from her friend and loses it. The story is known for its twist ending and use of literary devices. In this article, we will explore the various literary devices used in The Necklace.
Irony
Irony is a literary device used to express a difference between what is said and what is meant. In The Necklace, irony is used in several ways. Firstly, Mathilde Loisel is described as being unhappy with her simple life, but when she is given the opportunity to attend a fancy party, she is still unhappy because she has nothing fancy to wear. Secondly, she borrows a diamond necklace from her friend to appear rich and loses it. The irony is that the necklace was fake and Mathilde spends ten years of her life working to pay for a replacement.
Symbolism
Symbolism is a literary device used to represent something else. In The Necklace, the diamond necklace that Mathilde borrows from her friend is a symbol of wealth and status. Mathilde believes that by wearing the necklace, she will appear rich and successful. However, the necklace is also a symbol of the trap that Mathilde falls into. She becomes obsessed with the necklace and spends ten years of her life working to pay for a replacement.
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a literary device used to hint at future events. In The Necklace, there are several instances of foreshadowing. Firstly, when Mathilde borrows the necklace, her friend warns her to be careful with it. This foreshadows the fact that Mathilde will lose the necklace. Secondly, when Mathilde and her husband are trying to replace the necklace, they find a similar one that is much cheaper. This foreshadows the fact that the original necklace was fake.
Characterization
Characterization is a literary device used to describe the characters in a story. In The Necklace, the main character Mathilde Loisel is described as being unhappy with her simple life. She is also described as being beautiful, but not having any fancy clothes or jewelry to wear. This characterization helps to explain why Mathilde borrows the necklace from her friend and why she becomes obsessed with it.
Climax
The climax is the turning point in a story. In The Necklace, the climax occurs when Mathilde loses the necklace. This event sets off a chain of events that leads to Mathilde and her husband spending ten years of their life working to pay for a replacement. The climax is also significant because it reveals the truth about the necklace and Mathilde's obsession with it.
Conclusion
The Necklace by Guy De Maupassant is a classic short story that uses various literary devices to tell its tale. The story is known for its twist ending and its use of irony, symbolism, foreshadowing, characterization, and climax. The story teaches us that appearances can be deceiving and that sometimes, the things we want the most can be the things that trap us. The Necklace is a timeless story that continues to captivate readers today.