Theme Of The Necklace By Maupassant
The Story
The Necklace is a short story written by Guy de Maupassant in 1884. It tells the story of a woman named Mathilde Loisel who is unhappy with her life because she believes she deserves more than what she has. Mathilde is married to a clerk and lives a modest life, but she dreams of a life of luxury and elegance. One day, her husband comes home with an invitation to a fancy ball, and Mathilde thinks this is her chance to live her dream.
The Theme
The main theme of The Necklace is the danger of materialism. Mathilde's obsession with material possessions leads her to borrow a necklace from a friend to wear to the ball. When she loses the necklace, she and her husband go into debt to buy a new one to replace it. Mathilde spends the next ten years of her life working to pay off the debt, and in the end, she discovers that the original necklace was just costume jewelry and was not worth much at all.
The story also explores the theme of deception. Mathilde deceives her friend by losing the necklace and replacing it with a new one without telling her friend the truth. She also deceives her husband by not telling him the truth about the necklace and instead letting him believe that she lost it while out walking. The deception ultimately leads to Mathilde's downfall.
The Characters
The main character of the story is Mathilde Loisel, a beautiful young woman who is unhappy with her life. She is married to a clerk and dreams of a life of luxury and elegance. Mathilde is also a proud woman who is easily offended and upset by anything that she perceives as a slight against her.
Mathilde's husband is a kind and loving man who is content with his life. He goes out of his way to please Mathilde and make her happy, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness. He is also a practical man who understands the value of hard work and living within one's means.
The friend who lends Mathilde the necklace is a wealthy woman who is kind and generous. She is also naive and trusting, which makes her an easy target for Mathilde's deception.
The Setting
The story takes place in Paris, France in the late 19th century. The setting is significant because it is a time of great social and economic change in France. The Industrial Revolution had brought about new opportunities for people to improve their economic status, but it had also created a new class of people who were obsessed with material possessions and social status.
The Irony
The Necklace is a story of irony. Mathilde's obsession with material possessions leads her to borrow a necklace that she believes will make her look rich and successful. The irony is that the necklace is not worth much at all, and Mathilde's desire for material possessions leads to her downfall.
Another example of irony in the story is that Mathilde spends ten years of her life working to pay off the debt from the necklace, only to discover that the original necklace was just costume jewelry and was not worth much at all. The irony is that Mathilde's desire to live a life of luxury and elegance ultimately leads her to a life of poverty and hard work.
The Lesson
The Necklace teaches a valuable lesson about the dangers of materialism and the importance of being content with what one has. Mathilde's obsession with material possessions leads her to borrow a necklace that she cannot afford and ultimately leads to her downfall. The story reminds us that the pursuit of material possessions can be dangerous and that true happiness comes from within.
The story also teaches a lesson about honesty and the importance of telling the truth. Mathilde's deception ultimately leads to her downfall, and the story serves as a reminder that honesty is always the best policy.
Conclusion
The Necklace is a timeless story that teaches valuable lessons about the dangers of materialism and the importance of honesty and contentment. The story reminds us that true happiness comes from within and that the pursuit of material possessions can be dangerous. It is a story that continues to resonate with readers today and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of living a life of integrity and honesty.
