The Story Of The Necklace Summary
Introduction
"The Necklace" is a short story written by Guy de Maupassant. It tells the story of a woman named Mathilde Loisel who dreams of a life of luxury and wealth, but is stuck in a lower class lifestyle. One day, her husband brings home an invitation to a high-class party, and Mathilde is consumed with the desire to fit in with the wealthy elite. She borrows a beautiful necklace from a friend, but loses it at the party. Mathilde and her husband must spend the next ten years of their lives working to pay back the debt they incur in order to replace the necklace.
The Main Character
Mathilde Loisel is the main character of "The Necklace". She is a beautiful woman, but is consumed with the desire for wealth and luxury. She is unhappy with her lower class lifestyle, and dreams of a life of glamour and extravagance. Mathilde is also very vain and cares deeply about her appearance.
The Setting
"The Necklace" is set in France in the late 19th century. The story takes place in the Loisel's small apartment, as well as at the high-class party they attend.
The Plot
Mathilde Loisel is unhappy with her lower class lifestyle, and dreams of a life of luxury and wealth. One day, her husband brings home an invitation to a high-class party, and Mathilde is consumed with the desire to fit in with the wealthy elite. She borrows a beautiful necklace from a friend, and wears it to the party. Mathilde is the hit of the party, but loses the necklace on the way home. Mathilde and her husband must spend the next ten years of their lives working to pay back the debt they incur in order to replace the necklace. In the end, Mathilde discovers that the necklace was a fake, and all of the hardship they endured was for nothing.
The Themes
"The Necklace" explores several themes, including the dangers of vanity and materialism, the importance of honesty, and the consequences of deceit.
The Message
"The Necklace" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity and materialism. Mathilde's desire for wealth and luxury leads her down a path of deceit and dishonesty, which ultimately leads to her downfall.
The Author
Guy de Maupassant was a French writer who lived from 1850 to 1893. He was known for his naturalistic writing style, which focused on the harsh realities of life. "The Necklace" is one of his most famous short stories.
The Importance of Honesty
"The Necklace" highlights the importance of honesty. If Mathilde had been honest with her friend about losing the necklace, she could have avoided the years of hardship that followed. Instead, she chose to lie and deceive, which ultimately led to her downfall.
The Consequences of Deceit
"The Necklace" also explores the consequences of deceit. Mathilde's decision to lie about losing the necklace has far-reaching consequences, not just for her, but for her husband as well. They must spend the next ten years of their lives working to pay back the debt they incur in order to replace the necklace.
The Dangers of Vanity and Materialism
"The Necklace" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity and materialism. Mathilde's desire for wealth and luxury leads her down a path of deceit and dishonesty, which ultimately leads to her downfall.
The Irony
"The Necklace" is also an example of irony. Mathilde believes that the necklace is the key to her happiness and the life of luxury she desires. In reality, the necklace is a fake, and all of the hardship she endured was for nothing.
The Symbolism
The necklace in "The Necklace" is a symbol of the dangers of vanity and materialism. It represents Mathilde's desire for wealth and luxury, and the lengths she is willing to go to in order to achieve it.
The Writing Style
Guy de Maupassant's writing style is naturalistic, meaning that he focuses on the harsh realities of life. His writing is also very descriptive, allowing the reader to vividly imagine the scenes he creates.
The Lessons Learned
"The Necklace" teaches several important lessons, including the dangers of vanity and materialism, the importance of honesty, and the consequences of deceit. It also highlights the importance of being content with what you have, and not always striving for more.
The Impact
"The Necklace" is one of Guy de Maupassant's most famous short stories, and has had a lasting impact on literature. It is still widely read and studied today, and continues to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity and materialism.
Conclusion
"The Necklace" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity and materialism. Mathilde's desire for wealth and luxury leads her down a path of deceit and dishonesty, which ultimately leads to her downfall. The story highlights the importance of honesty, and the consequences of deceit. It also teaches the importance of being content with what you have, and not always striving for more. "The Necklace" is still widely read and studied today, and continues to be a powerful example of naturalistic writing.
