The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Marxist Criticism
Guy De Maupassant's short story "The Necklace" is one of the most famous works of literature in the world. The story is set in Paris during the late 19th century and tells the tale of a woman named Mathilde Loisel who longs for a life of luxury and wealth. In "The Necklace," Marxist criticism can be used to analyze the themes of class struggle and economic inequality that are present in the story.
The Marxist Criticism
Marxist criticism is a type of literary criticism that focuses on the economic and social relationships between characters in a work of literature. The Marxist approach to literature is based on the theories of Karl Marx, who believed that society was divided into classes based on their economic status. According to Marx, the working class was exploited by the ruling class, who controlled the means of production and kept the working class in a state of poverty.
The Class Struggle
In "The Necklace," the theme of class struggle is evident from the beginning of the story. Mathilde Loisel is a member of the middle class who longs for a life of luxury and wealth. She is discontent with her life and feels that she is entitled to more than what she has. Mathilde's desire for wealth and luxury is an expression of her desire to move up in social class.
Mathilde's husband, Monsieur Loisel, is a clerk in the Ministry of Education. He is a member of the working class and is content with his life. Monsieur Loisel does not share his wife's desire for wealth and luxury and is satisfied with their modest lifestyle.
The class struggle in "The Necklace" is evident when Mathilde borrows a necklace from her friend Madame Forestier to wear to a party. Mathilde believes that the necklace will make her look wealthy and refined, but when she loses the necklace, she and her husband are forced to replace it at great expense. The loss of the necklace plunges Mathilde and her husband into poverty and debt, highlighting the fragility of the middle-class lifestyle.
Economic Inequality
The economic inequality in "The Necklace" is evident in the contrast between Mathilde's desire for wealth and luxury and Monsieur Loisel's contentment with his modest lifestyle. Mathilde's desire for material possessions is an expression of her desire to move up in social class, but it ultimately leads to her downfall.
The economic inequality in "The Necklace" is also evident in the cost of the replacement necklace. The cost of the necklace is so great that Mathilde and her husband are forced to take out loans and sell their possessions to pay for it. The economic burden of the necklace highlights the fragility of the middle-class lifestyle and the difficulty of maintaining it in a society that values material possessions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Necklace" by Guy De Maupassant can be analyzed through the lens of Marxist criticism. The themes of class struggle and economic inequality are evident in the story and highlight the fragility of the middle-class lifestyle. "The Necklace" is a powerful commentary on the social and economic relationships between people and the struggle for material possessions and wealth.
