The Necklace Guy De Maupassant Worksheet
Introduction
The Necklace is a short story by French writer Guy de Maupassant. It was first published in the French newspaper "Le Gaulois" in 1884. The story is about a woman named Mathilde Loisel who borrows a necklace from a friend to wear to a party. After losing the necklace, Mathilde and her husband spend years trying to replace it, only to find out that the original necklace was a fake.
Plot Summary
The story begins with Mathilde Loisel, a middle-class woman who dreams of a life of luxury and wealth. One evening, her husband comes home with an invitation to a fancy party. Mathilde is excited but realizes that she has nothing to wear. Her husband suggests that she borrow jewelry from her friend Madame Forestier.
Mathilde chooses a beautiful diamond necklace from Madame Forestier's collection and wears it to the party. She is the center of attention and enjoys the night, but on the way home, she realizes that she has lost the necklace. Mathilde and her husband search for the necklace but cannot find it.
They decide to replace the necklace by buying a new one. They take out loans and work hard for ten years to pay off their debts. Finally, they buy a new necklace and return it to Madame Forestier. Madame Forestier is surprised that the necklace was lost, and Mathilde and her husband are relieved that the debt is paid off.
Years later, Mathilde runs into Madame Forestier and tells her the whole story. Madame Forestier reveals that the necklace was a fake, worth only a fraction of the cost of the replacement necklace. Mathilde is devastated, realizing that all her hard work was for nothing.
Themes
The Necklace explores several themes, including the dangers of pride and materialism. Mathilde is so focused on her desire for wealth and luxury that she cannot appreciate the simple pleasures in life. Her pride leads to her downfall, as she cannot admit to Madame Forestier that she lost the necklace.
The story also examines the role of appearance in society. Mathilde is judged by her appearance at the party, and she feels that she must maintain that appearance at all costs. The fake necklace represents the idea that appearances can be deceiving.
Discussion Questions
1. How does Mathilde's desire for luxury and wealth affect her life?
2. What is the significance of the necklace in the story?
3. What does the fake necklace symbolize?
4. How does Mathilde's pride lead to her downfall?
5. What is the overall message of the story?
Conclusion
The Necklace is a classic short story that explores the dangers of pride and materialism. It teaches us the importance of being content with what we have and not getting caught up in appearances. The story is a timeless reminder that true happiness comes from within, not from material possessions.
