Theme Of The Necklace By Guy De Maupassant Pdf
Introduction
"The Necklace" is a short story by Guy de Maupassant, first published in 1884. It tells the story of a young woman named Mathilde Loisel who is unhappy with her middle-class life and longs for the lavish lifestyle of the upper class. When her husband manages to secure an invitation to a fancy ball, Mathilde borrows a necklace from a wealthy friend to wear to the event. However, when she loses the necklace, her life takes a dramatic turn.
The Theme of Appearance vs Reality
One of the main themes in "The Necklace" is the idea of appearance versus reality. Mathilde Loisel is a perfect example of this theme. She appears to be a beautiful and elegant woman, but in reality, she is unhappy and dissatisfied with her life. She dreams of a luxurious lifestyle and is envious of those who have it. When she finally gets the chance to attend a fancy ball and wear a beautiful necklace, she appears to be living the life she has always wanted. However, when she loses the necklace and is forced to replace it, her appearance is shattered, and she is left in poverty.
The Theme of Greed
Greed is another central theme in "The Necklace." Mathilde's desire for a lavish lifestyle and her envy of the upper class lead her to borrow a necklace from a wealthy friend. When she loses the necklace, she cannot bear the thought of telling her friend and instead spends years of her life paying for a replacement. Mathilde's greed ultimately leads to her downfall and shows the dangers of wanting more than one can afford.
The Theme of Pride
Pride is also a significant theme in "The Necklace." Mathilde's pride prevents her from being honest with her friend about losing the necklace. She is too proud to admit her mistake and would rather spend years of her life paying for a replacement than admit the truth. Mathilde's pride leads to her downfall and shows the danger of valuing one's image over honesty.
The Theme of Social Class
The theme of social class is prevalent throughout "The Necklace." Mathilde is unhappy with her middle-class life and longs for the lavish lifestyle of the upper class. Her desire to attend the fancy ball and wear a beautiful necklace shows her longing to be part of the upper class. However, when she loses the necklace and is forced to replace it, she is thrown into poverty, showing the harsh realities of social class and the dangers of trying to live beyond one's means.
The Theme of Materialism
The theme of materialism is also present in "The Necklace." Mathilde's desire for a luxurious lifestyle and her envy of the upper class show her obsession with material possessions. Her willingness to borrow a necklace and her reluctance to tell the truth when she loses it show the danger of valuing material possessions above all else. Mathilde's story serves as a warning against the dangers of materialism.
The Theme of Illusion vs Reality
The theme of illusion versus reality is also prominent in "The Necklace." Mathilde's dream of a luxurious lifestyle and her envy of the upper class create an illusion of the life she wants. However, when she loses the necklace and is forced to replace it, the illusion is shattered, and she is brought back to reality. Mathilde's story shows the danger of living in an illusion and the importance of accepting reality.
The Theme of Honesty
The theme of honesty is also present in "The Necklace." Mathilde's refusal to be honest with her friend about losing the necklace leads to years of her life being spent paying for a replacement. Her dishonesty ultimately leads to her downfall and shows the importance of being truthful.
The Theme of Sacrifice
The theme of sacrifice is also present in "The Necklace." Mathilde's sacrifice in paying for a replacement necklace shows her willingness to make amends for her mistake. However, her sacrifice comes at a great cost, and she spends years of her life in poverty. Mathilde's story shows the importance of sacrifice, but also the danger of making sacrifices that are too great.
The Theme of Regret
The theme of regret is also present in "The Necklace." Mathilde's regret for losing the necklace and her inability to make amends show the danger of regret. She spends years of her life paying for a replacement necklace, but her regret cannot be undone. Mathilde's story serves as a warning against the dangers of regret and the importance of making amends before it is too late.
Conclusion
"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed, materialism, and the desire for a lavish lifestyle. Mathilde Loisel's story shows the importance of honesty, sacrifice, and acceptance of reality. The story's themes of appearance versus reality, pride, social class, and illusion versus reality are still relevant today and serve as a warning against the dangers of wanting more than one can afford.
